EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - JULY 30: head coach Steve Cooper of Nottingham Forest looks on during the Pre-Season Friendly match between PSV Eindhoven and Nottingham Forest at Philips Stadion on July 30, 2023 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by NESimages/Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Nottingham Forest in talks to sign ‘one of the most underrated CBs in Europe’ – journalist.
Nottingham Forest have been fairly active in the transfer window this summer, making four signings to date.
Anthony Elanga, Chris Wood, Matt Turner and Ola Aina have linked up with the City Ground side.
Now, Forest are reportedly looking to bolster their defensive ranks ahead of the start of the 2023-24 season.
The Reds were eyeing Roma’s Roger Ibanez, but he’s apparently heading to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli.
With that in mind, Forest have reportedly switched their attentions to Dinamo Zagreb’s Josip Sutalo.
The Express have claimed that the Reds are exploring the possibility of landing the 23-year-old Croatian.
This is after Sutalo impressed scouts with a series of eye-catching performances last season.
Express journalist Ryan Taylor spoke about Forest’s interest in Sutalo in conversation with GiveMeSport.
“I think it’s pretty clear that they’ve not done what they did last year,” he said.
“Which I think is going to suit them better.
“But, at the same time, I do see Forest as a team that probably needs a few more signings.
“There is still talk that Brennan Johnson could maybe go, which is a little bit of a concern.
“But Sutalo is one that they’re going to look at now.
“They’re in talks with Dinamo Zagreb because it looks like Roger Ibanez is going to go to Al-Ahli.”
Forest are reportedly up against Ajax in pursuit of the defender.
They Dutch giants have apparently lodged a bid worth close to £17million.
However, Fabrizio Romano added that they expect an answer within two days or will move on to other targets.
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Sutalo is an outstanding defender and Forest should certainly try their luck for him.
He’s young, talented, has a high ceiling, is a senior international, and at under £20million, seems like a bargain.
Football.london described him as a ‘Josko Gvardiol-like defender’ amid links with Tottenham and Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Football Talent Scout has deemed Sutalo ‘one of the most underrated CBs in Europe’.
Obviously much depends on how Ajax get on. Forest will no doubt be monitoring the situation.
