Nottingham Forest have failed with a £9 million loan-to-buy bid for Remo Freuler, as reported by Tutto Atalanta, but Atalanta are now preparing for life without their Premier League-linked Serie A playmaker.
Could one Forest target be replaced in Bergamo by another Forest target?
That is certainly a possibility, with Atalanta identifying Spezia captain Guilio Maggiore as Freuloer’s replacement (Tutto Atalanta). Maggiore, who was actually linked with a move to the City Ground back in August, is ready for a new challenge even after skippering his beloved Spezia to survival in 2021/22.
So too, it seems, is Freuler.
The long-serving 30-year-old joined Atalanta all the way back in 2016. Few players have contributed so much to the club during their remarkable rise from mid-table also-rans to Champions League regulars and all-round entertainers under iconic head coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Now, as he enters his final few years at the top level, Freuler appears to have his heart set on a fresh start in the Premier League. But Nottingham Forest, after seeing two bids fall short, are still a long way from agreeing a deal.
Atalanta have reportedly turned down an offer that would have seen Freuler join Steve Cooper’s play-off winners on loan, with a £9 million obligation-to-buy deal included in his contract. Presumably, La Dea are likely to command a fee comfortably into eight-figures.
Nottingham Forest want Remo Freuler want Atalanta
“Remo isn’t especially athletic,” Italian reporter Fabrizio Carcano told the BBC back in 2020, contributing to an article dubbing Freuler ‘Europe’s most underrated player’.
“But he is the brains of Atalanta.
“He covers everyone, recovers balls, tackles, and – most importantly – builds play from behind. His pass completion ratio is very high. He is the conductor of the orchestra.”
According to reports, Nottingham Forest are also submitting a £6.3 million offer for Real Betis left-back Alex Moreno. Betis want closer to £20 million.
A club-record £25 million proposal is also in the works for Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos. Portugal’s answer to Thomas Muller kicked off the season with a hat-trick against Midtjylland in Champions League qualifying this week.
Ramos would replace Taiwo Awoniyi as Forest’s most expensive-ever player. But, given the nature of his performances recently, he could be worth every penny. PSG are also keen.
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