Nottingham Forest face a battle with Serie A giants Napoli for Eredivisie star Zian Flemming, according to Tuttomercatoweb.
With little more than two weeks remaining in the transfer window, Forest have yet to spend a penny.
Ethan Horvath and the on-loan Philip Zinckernagel could prove to be excellent additions at the City Ground, of course, but in the aftermath of Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Coventry City, all that pre-season optimism is already starting to dissipate.
Forest are no closer to sealing a deal for a midfielder who would add plenty of thrust, skill and unpredictability to Chris Hughton’s often toothless front line, having failed with three bids for Fortuna Sittard star Flemming.
And what chance do Forest have, really, with the Amsterdam-born playmaker emerging as a target for a club the size of Napoli? Luciano Spalletti’s side will be playing Europa League football next season after all.
According to TMW, Fortuna Sittard are demanding a fee in excess of £2 million as interest in Flemming continues to rise.
Nottingham Forest face competition from Napoli for Flemming signature
But while the Flemming saga remains ongoing, the same can’t be said for Nottingham Forest’s long-running pursuit of Croatia U21 international Sandro Kulenovic.
The two-time European Champions hoped to sign the striker on loan with a £2.5 million option-to-buy clause.
According to Croatian publication Sportske Novosti, however, Kulenovic turned down Forest because he wants to stay in eastern Europe, hoping to join one of Dinamo Zagreb’s league rivals on a short-term basis.
It’s not all bad news at the City Ground, though.
Lyle Taylor scored just four goals in a disappointing debut season at Forest but started the new campaign in fine style, showing the sort of predatory movement and clinical finishing during Sunday’s league opener at the Ricoh Arena that made him such a star at Charlton Athletic.
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