Abdou Harroui was left out of Sparta Rotterdam’s Eredivisie clash at the weekend as the playmaker closes in on a £2.5 million move to Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest, as reported by Rijnmond.
After four defeats in a row and failing to muster a shot on target during Saturday’s drab defeat at Stoke City, an eye-catching marquee signing can’t come soon enough for under-fire Chris Hughton.
Forest have spent much of the summer chasing Zian Flemming, of Fortuna Sittard, without success. Fortuna are understood to have rejected three bids from the two-time European Champions.
But with just seven days remaining until the window slams shut, it seems Nottingham Forest have turned their attentions to another silk-footed number ten who has made a name for himself in a league renowned for its free-flowing style of football and relentless supply of goals.
Forest turn their focus from Flemming to Harroui
According to Rijnmond, Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal with the Netherlands U21 international, who is expected to cost about £2.5 million.
Harroui was left out of Sparta’s 1-1 draw with Heracles on Saturday too as the Rotterdammers look to bring in Aaron Meijers from ADO Den Haag as his replacement.
But while Hughton will be enthused about the arrival of a man capable of pulling enough rabbits to fill a Watership Down reboot out of the proverbial hat, Sparta coach Henk Fraser is far from thrilled about the imminent departure of his star man so late in the window.
“I can act stressed or irritated, but I now know such an attitude does not help,” huffed Fraser. “The next few days will show what will or won’t be added (to my squad).”
Nottingham Forest have already brought last season’s loan star James Garner back to the City Ground from Manchester United, while Philip Zinckernagel and Joao Carvalho have shown flashes of brilliance this season.
Add Harroui to the mix and a formerly one-paced Forest midfield suddenly looks full of guile, poise and cutting edge.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
