Steve Cooper wants Salernitana ace Lassana Coulibaly to become his latest new signing at Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest with the Serie A outfit holding out for £8.5 million, according to The Sun.
When it comes to deep-lying central midfielders, the City Ground cupboard is far from bare.
Ryan Yates, Cheikhou Kouyate and Remo Freuler showed really promising signs as a hard-running, hard-tackling trio before the World Cup break. Nottingham Forest also have Jack Colback and Lewis O’Brien in reserve.
A quick glance at the stats, however, highlights exactly what Coulibaly would bring to this Forest team. Kouyate is currently the most prolific tackler in Cooper’s squad, averaging 1.8 in the Premier League this season. Yates, Freuler, Colback and O’Brien all average between 1.7 and 1.5 respectively (WhoScored).
Coulibaly’s defensive numbers are vastly superior. He makes 3.1 tackles per game in Serie A. In fact, only one midfielder in the division makes more per 90 minutes – Roma’s Bryan Cristante.
No one in England’s top flight has conceded as many goals as Forest’s 30 so far in 2022/23. Coulibaly, then, could provide some much-needed protection in front of a vulnerable backline.
Nottingham Forest want Lassana Coulibaly from Serie A outfit Salernitana
According to The Sun, Cooper believes the one-time Rangers loanee – who idolises the likes of Steven Gerrard and Michael Essien – is exactly the kind of belligerent, all-action ball-winner his Nottingham Forest side need. And, given those aforementioned statistics, it’s hard to argue.
Ambitious Salernitana, The Sun adds, want £8.5 million for the 26-year-old Mali international. Forest had an opening bid of £7 million rejected recently (Cronoche Salerno).
That £1.5 million difference is likely to be made up, however. Cooper has been handed yet more funds to spend in January despite a remarkable summer recruitment drive. Forest have already completed their first signing of 2023; the Brazilian Serie A Player of the Year Gustavo Scarpa arriving on a free from Palmeiras.
Forest are also keen on Fortuna Dusseldorf defender Jamil Siebert, Morocco’s World Cup striker Walid Cheddira, and Sao Paulo enforcer Pablo Maia.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
