The number of Premier League suitors reportedly pursuing Djibril Sidibe has been gradually whittled down over the last couple of weeks. From three to one.
Earlier in the window, the one-time Everton loanee was being linked with Fulham and West Ham United. On Wednesday afternoon, however, it emerged that Sidibe – a free agent after leaving Monaco in July – had agreed a one-year contract with a Nottingham Forest side who could make almost an entire matchday squad out of their varied array of summer arrivals.
“I don’t want to go to exotic places,” Sidibe explained recently. “I want to play as many matches as possible at a very high level, with the World Cup in my sights. (And) I want to experience these sensations as much as possible because physically, I no longer have any problems.
“If I feel good, I don’t see why I would deprive myself of these dreams. I’m still hungry. I’m still ready for the very high level and the injuries have passed.”
Nottingham Forest agree to sign former Everton man Djibril Sidibe
Nottingham Forest’s offer, then, will be very well received by Sidibe’s camp.
The 30-year-old is under no illusions. He himself knows that that his World Cup prospects look slim. Some would say that the Scotland squad have a better chance of boarding a plane to Qatar than he does.
But never say never. The Premier League is just about the biggest stage of all, and if Sidibe can rediscover some semblance of the form that once earned him the admiration of Atletico Madrid and Manchester City, well then Didier Deschamps might have a difficult decision to make.
According to FootMercato, there is still work to do before Sidibe becomes Forest’s 17th signing of the window. The two-time European champions can afford to take their time, at least, with other Premier League suitors few and far between.
Fulham were reportedly keen before bringing in in Kevin Mbabu from Wolfsburg. Kenny Tete, meanwhile, has ruled out a departure from Craven Cottage this summer. West Ham, meanwhile, have Vladimir Coufal, Ben Johnson and the exciting Harrison Ashby fighting for the right-back spot. The Hammers are looking to reinforce other positions before next week’s deadline.
Sidibe, capped 18 times by France and a World Cup winner in 2018, wanted to stay at Everton after a promising loan spell at Goodison Park a couple of seasons ago. It’s taken a while. But Sidibe is finally on his way back.
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