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Newcastle pushed to background by Nottingham Forest in Davide Frattesi talks
Nottingham Forest are now the favourites to land an established Italy international in the January transfer window after entering talks with the player’s entourage.
Dyche coy over transfers as Forest prepare for Arsenal
Forest welcome possible champions in waiting Arsenal to the City Ground on Saturday evening hoping to cause a shock, but Sean Dyche will have to do so without any new additions.
The Reds have been relatively quiet in the winter window and could see more outgoings than incomings, with the future of former Gunner Oleksandr Zinchenko in particular under scrutiny.
“We spoke to the player, made it clear in his situation, he is aware of that so we will see what happens,” Dyche said on Thursday.
“We are being open with him, he is a thorough professional, he has been and I am sure he will be going forward, whatever happens.”
Forest are expected to try and strengthen in the centre of the park and up front following Arnaud Kalimuendo’s exit on loan, with Jorgen Strand Larsen a possible target given Wolves’ own perilous position in the relegation battle.
The other name being mentioned up front is Italian Lorenzo Lucca, who has started just four games for Napoli in Serie A this season.
Better than Strand Larsen: £30m CF becomes a target for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest are pushing to land another striker instead of Jorgen Strand Larsen.
In midfield, it looks like Forest have identified their top target, as they have entered into talks with the agents of Inter and Italy stalwart
Davide Frattesi.
Forest in talks with Frattesi’s agents
The 26 year-old, who boasts 33 caps for the Azzurri, has fallen out of favour under Inter boss Cristian Chivu, making nine of his ten league apperances this season off the bench.
And, according to reports in Italy via Sport Witness, Forest have ‘approached the midfielder’s entourage’ and now lead the chase, with Newcastle, who were interested in the summer, now ‘in the background’.
The ‘next few days’ are vital according to the update, with Frattesi himself currently keen on a move to England.
Italy Icon Roberto Baggio has previously heaped praise on the versatile midfielder, saying: “He’s a player I like and follow. This (his move to Inter) is a great coup.”
With doubts surrounding the future of Elliot Anderson amid rumours of a £100m transfer, Forest may feel Frattesi can help fill some of that void for a relatively cheap fee, although no figure is quoted in the report.
