Some may have questioned whether Nottingham Forest had been overly aggressive in the transfer market when they returned to the Premier League last season, before welcoming an astonishing amount of new arrivals, unbalancing Steve Cooper’s team. One year in, the Midlands club appears to be confident enough to secure back-to-back survival in England’s top flight, ideally without too much trouble.
Forest face Luton Town in their first game back from the international break in a crucial six-pointer – the type of game that a club looking to put distance between themselves and the dropzone should win.
The likes of Taiwo Awoniyi and Morgan Gibbs-White have been particularly successful for Forest, helping their side to their most impressive moment this season in a 1-0 defeat of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Even with Cooper’s attacking options flourishing, however, those at the City Ground are still reportedly eyeing a move for one wantaway forward in the January transfer window, perhaps due to Awoniyi’s injury.
Nottingham Forest’s summer spending reportedly reached the €122m (£106m) mark, as a number of names arrived, from Callum Hudson-Odoi to Anthony Elanga in what turned out to be a successful transfer window. The Midlands club will be well-aware of the need to keep their foot on the gas, however, and could, therefore, return to the market in January.
The latest Michy Batshuayi transfer news certainly looks positive for Forest, too. According to Turkish newspaper Sozcu, the forward has requested to leave current club Fenerbahce, and Forest, alongside RC Lens, are tracking the former Premier League winner, who will reportedly cost just €10m (£9m).
With Awoniyi, Origi, and Chris Wood to call upon up top, it could easily be argued that Forest don’t need Batshuayi. Given his Premier League experience, desire to leave for more game-time, and relatively low price-tag however, he could be an option worth pursuing to add that extra piece of depth in case any more injuries pop up.
How many goals has Michy Batshuayi scored?
Now 30-years-old, Batshuayi has lost his place in Fenerbahce’s starting line-up, having fallen down the pecking order. When he has been given a chance, though, to his credit, the forward has delivered. In three starts in the Super Lig this season, Batshuayi’s stats have been impressive, having scored twice and assisted once, whilst also scoring in a Europa Conference League start. It seems like all the former Borussia Dortmund man needs is consistent game-time.
When he has earned minutes on the pitch in the past, Batshuayi has been the centre of praise, including from former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, who said, via the club’s official website: “It was interesting to see not just the player – I kind of knew the quality Michy had and it’s always good to see that up close – but also the personality.
Since the beginning of the season, his training, demeanor, attitude, and quality when he’s come on, which is obviously the most important thing, have all been excellent.
“It’s not easy when Tammy is scoring goals on a regular basis and gaining a firm foothold in the team.” The same is true for Oli [Giroud]. Michy has demonstrated all of the appropriate responses. He’s been extremely excellent for us so far, and maintaining a positive attitude when you’re not playing frequently is crucial not only for him, because it can be difficult at times, but also for the group. He deserves special recognition for this. He’s upbeat, hardworking, and enjoys scoring goals.”
