Nottingham Forest have submitted new bids for Real Betis’ Alex Moreno and Atalanta’s Remo Freuler as the Premier League newcomers continue their extensive recruitment drive, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb and ABC Sevilla.
When Orel Mangala became Forest’s 13th new addition since beating Huddersfield Town in May’s play-off final, you might have thought that was their summer rebuild over and done with. Well, think again.
This week alone, the two-time European champions have been linked with Houssem Aouar, Jizz Hornkamp, Goncalo Ramos, Andrea Pinamonti and experienced Switzerland international Remo Freuler, to name but five.
Nottingham Forest submitted a £6 million bid for Freuler on Wednesday. According to TMW, a new bid – one in the £9 million region – arrived around 24 hours later. That could be enough to twist Atalanta’s arm. Especially with the former Luzern ace ready for a fresh challenge after six years in Bergamo.
Nottingham Forest close in on Atalanta’s Remo Freuler
Freuler, once dubbed ‘Europe’s most underrated player’ by the BBC, has been the brains of Gian Piero Gasperini’s machine for many years; The conductor of Italian football’s spectacular rock opera.
According to reports out of Spain, Nottingham Forest have also offered £6.3 million for another key target. Talks with Real Betis regarding 29-year-old Moreno started back in July. And, after failing with an opening bid of £4 million that went down like a lead ballon in Andalucia, the City Ground side have raised their proposal to £6.3 million.
That still won’t be enough, however. Copa del Rey winners Betis £20 million for a left-back who scored five and set up five more during 2021/22. It seems doubtful, as things stand, that a £14 million gap will be bridged.
Moreno, if a compromise is on the cards, will become the third new left-back to join Forest this summer, after Harry Toffolo (Huddersfield Town) and Omar Richards (Bayern Munich). Freuler can also play out wide on the left.
Richards, however, will miss the first few weeks of the new season with a hairline fracture.
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