Mainz coach Bo Svensson admits the search for a Moussa Niakhate replacement is underway as the Everton and Nottingham Forest target dreams of a move to the Premier League, speaking to Goal.com.
Interest in Mainz’s penalty-taking, armband-wearing centre-back is, as Svensson points out, the ‘downside of performing well’. In other words, the upwardly-mobile 05ers have become a victim of their own success.
Jerry St Juste has already departed a club who finished one place off the European spots 12 months after surviving relegation by the skin of their teeth. The Dutchman joined Sporting Lisbon for £9 million.
And St Juste’s former centre-back partner could also be on his way.
Nottingham Forest remain in talks for 6ft 3ins Niakhate despite seeing an initial bid – one deemed ‘ridiculous’ by some at the MEWA Arena – batted away with some disdain a couple of weeks ago (The Athletic).
Nottingham Forest still hope to land Moussa Niakhate
“What we can do is prepare as best we can for all situations. (We must) look for interesting players who can replace Moussa,” says Svensson.
“That’s the downside of performing and performing well. We know that we have clubs that have more money than us and will look at players that were doing well at Mainz. That’s just natural.
“That’s where we are in the food chain.”
Mainz are holding out for £13 million with just one year left on Niakhate’s contract. According to The Telegraph, the Frenchman has admirers at Goodison Park too. And the left-footed Niakhate would provide speed, balance, leadership and physicality alongside James Tarkowski in a new-look Everton backline.
“It’s too bad that we cannot go on with the same players year after year,” Svensson adds. “But it’s the normal way of things that you have to be able to adjust and think ahead. So we’re well prepared for things that would happen this summer.”
West Ham have been linked with Niakhate too. That was before the Hammers signed another left-footed centre-half in Nayef Aguerd.
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