Walsall free agent Erhun Oztumer should be Nottingham Forest’s priority

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Championship side Nottingham Forest were reportedly keen on Walsall’s Erhun Oztumer a year ago.

The fact that Walsall have managed to hang on to Erhun Oztumer for so long is nothing short of remarkable. But, after narrowly avoiding relegation from League One last season, it seems the Saddlers’ chances of keeping their star man look slimmer than ever.

HITC sources have told us that the so-called ‘Turkish Messi’ is out of contract next month and has snubbed the chance to commit his future to Walsall. And after four years in League One, a move to the Championship beckons with Bolton, Blackburn and Preston all willing to give Oztumer the chance to prove himself a step above.

But should Nottingham Forest be in the mix, one year after they first showed an interest in a player who made his mark in the Football League at Peterborough United?

HITC sources told us that Forest were keen last summer after Oztumer had netted 15 goals in 45 games for Walsall. In 2017/18, however, he went two better, notching 17 times in all competitions.

The 5ft 3ins play-maker is not the most imposing of players but he is someone who can change a game in an instant, turning a draw into a narrow win with a glorious long-range shot or pin-point set-piece.

Considering Forest lost 23 league games last season, and struggled for goals and creative spark at times, Oztumer’s ability to create something out of nothing should encourage Aitor Karanka to at least consider him.

No one in Forest’s squad hit double figures in the Championship last season. And, with Kieran Dowell and Lee Tomlin returning to their parent clubs, this is the perfect time to make a move for Oztumer again.