Nick Kuipers has stood out in the Dutch second division but how would he cope with the demands of the Championship with Nottingham Forest.
Nottingham Forest fans have been understandably frustrated about the lack of sufficient investment in the first team squad in recent seasons, so Fox Sports linking them with an out-of-contract centre-back from the Dutch second division isn’t going to change their tune.
24-year-old Nick Kuipers, captain of Eerste Divisie outfit MVV Maastricht, hasn’t played a single top flight game in his career though his fearsome 6ft 3ins frame and renowned leadership ability has spearheaded his side’s promotion challenge this season.
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And Fox Sports claims that Gary Brazil’s Forest are ready to challenge Championship rivals Wolves for the defender’s signature, though Bolton Wanderers are believed to be in pole position for a player who should be available on the cheap with his deal expiring at the end of the season.
Wolves clearly need additions at centre-half with veteran Mike Williamson restricted to just one appearance all season through injury while their interest in Newcastle United outcast Grant Hanley, as reported by The Sun, could be threatened by reports that The Magpies are instead looking to let Chancel Mbemba go to Crystal Palace as part of a deal to bring Andros Townsend back to St James’.
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However, only rock-bottom Rotherham United have conceded more than Forest (47) this season, with the likes of Matt Mills and Thomas Lam coming in for criticism for their below-par performances.
And Kuipers, an unproven talent from an unconvincing league, is unlikely to sate the fans’ demand for new players that would improve the starting XI, especially as the likes of Lam, Vladimir Stojkovic, Patijm Kasami and Nicolao Dumitru have all failed to impress this season after being snapped up on the cheap.
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