‘Ridiculous’ bid fails but Nottingham Forest one step closer to £7m ace

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Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Bundesliga ace Moussa Niakhate is in danger of collapse after Mainz rejected a ‘ridiculous’ offer from the Premier League newcomers, as reported by Sky Germany. 

While Forest appear to be within touching distance of making Union Berlin hitman Taiwo Awoniyi their first signing of the summer, negotiations with the Nigerian’s former MEWA Arena team-mate are proving to be anything but straightforward.

Mainz director Christian Heidel admitted on Friday that he is ‘expecting’ Niakhate to leave, with the giant defender entering the final 12 months of his contract. That does not mean the 6ft 3ins former France U21 colossus will be sold on the cheap, however. 

The 05ers want at least £13 million for 26-year-old Niakhate, the youngest captain in the Bundesliga last term. 

And, according to Sky Deutschland, Nottingham Forest’s opening offer – one deemed ‘ridiculous’ by Mainz – fell ‘far below’ the £9 million mark. As a result, the Rhineland-based outfit have called off negotiations. And it is understood that Mainz currently have no intention of continuing kick-starting the talks any time soon.   

Mixed transfer news for Nottingham Forest

Of course, with so much time left in the window, Nottingham Forest could still twist Mainz arms. Another bid – one much closer to the £13 million mark – could be enough to kick-start negotiations again. 

For the time being, however, Steve Cooper, Dane Murphy and co may have no choice but to consider alternative options.

On the upside, the potential club-record signing of Awoniyi is proving to be far less complex. Nottingham Forest will reportedly pay £17.5 million for the powerhouse number nine, who scored a hugely-impressive 20 goals during his first full season as an Union Berlin player in 2021/22.

Awoniyi missed the beginning of Union’s pre-season preparations on Monday morning as he closes in on a history-making switch to the City Ground. 

In a further boost to Forest’s Premier League ambitions, midfield target Guilio Maggiore has made it clear that he will not extend his contract with boyhood club Spezia (Gazzetta dello Sport). Maggiore, a classy, cultured footballer with an eye for goal, could be available for a cut-price £7 million.