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Nottingham Forest in talks to sign En-Nesyri over Jorgen Strand Larsen
Nottingham Forest are believed to be genuine contenders to sign Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen this month, but a fresh report claims they’re now in negotiations with another target too.
Forest eye Strand Larsen amid January striker search
Forest have reportedly made some contact over a potential January move for Strand Larsen as they seek to replace the injured Chris Wood.
Forest officials have apparently sounded out the 25-year-old’s representatives to gauge his interest in a move to the City Ground, according to Football Insider.
Sean Dyche is desperate to bolster his attacking options following Wood’s knee surgery over the Christmas period. The New Zealand international faces several months on the sidelines, leaving Forest alarmingly thin up front with only Igor Jesus as their senior natural option.
Strand Larsen has emerged as Forest’s primary target despite struggling for form in the league this season.
The Norwegian has scored just one Premier League goal in 19 matches, a dramatic drop-off from the 14 goals he netted during his debut campaign last term.
Nottingham Forest contact ‘tremendous’ Premier League player over January move
Sean Dyche’s side are getting busy after their win over West Ham.
It is also worth noting, though, that Strand Larsen bagged a hat-trick in Wolves’ 6-1 rout of League Two side Shrewsbury in the FA Cup this afternoon.
The Athletic report that Forest have drawn up a four-man shortlist that includes Strand Larsen alongside Iran international Mehdi Taremi, Roma striker Artem Dovbyk and Sevilla’s Youssef En-Nesyri.
Wolves have placed a £40m price tag on Strand Larsen too, according to sources, though they remain aware they will not receive close to that sum if relegated.
The Old Gold are reluctant to sell to a potential relegation rival, but there is acceptance that Forest could force them into selling if a suitable offer arrives.
Forest sit seven points above the drop zone following their crucial 2-1 victory over West Ham on Tuesday, while Wolves languish bottom of the table with just seven points from 21 matches.
Selling their main striker to a direct competitor makes little sense for Rob Edwards’ side, especially after his FA Cup heroics today, but Forest do have an alternative in mind.
Nottingham Forest in talks over Fenerbahçe striker Youssef En-Nesyri
According to reports from Spain today, Forest are in ‘progressing’ talks to sign En-Nesyri instead, and are ready to make an offer of around £26 million for the Morocco forward.
Their discussions to sign En-Nesyri, who is currently at AFCON representing his country, means they’ve ‘taken the lead’ in the race for his services, and it is believed that we could see an outcome in a matter of days.
Forest are also said to be ‘pushing hard’.
En-Nesyri has enjoyed a fairly solid campaign with Fenerbahçe this season, scoring eight goals and providing two assists across 25 appearances in all competitions.
The 28-year-old has been particularly effective in the Süper Lig, netting seven goals in 15 matches while averaging 0.66 goals per 90 minutes.
The ‘skilful‘ former Sevilla forward stands at 6 foot 2 and brings significant aerial dominance, and his non-penalty expected goals per 90 sits at 0.67, placing him in the top 99th percentile of Süper Lig players.
En-Nesyri would represent an ideal signing for Dyche’s Forest.
The African possesses exactly the physical profile Dyche requires following Chris Wood’s injury, offering strength, aerial ability and top-level experience from his time in La Liga.
At 28, En-Nesyri is in his prime years, and he also boasts 25 goals in 90 caps for Morocco.
