Nottingham Forest could not afford to make Newcastle United’s Daryl Murphy their main striker target if Britt Assombalonga leaves the City Ground.
With Nottingham Forest finishing just a point above the Championship relegation zone last season, you could forgive Britt Assombalonga for maybe thinking he would be better off elsewhere.
Netting 14 goals in just 20 starts, Forest’s record signing is one of the most lethal hitman outside of the Premier League when fit and it’s understandable that he would be the first port of call for clubs in need of a new striker.
According to the Daily Mail, Premier League Burnley have already had an £8 million bid rejected while Championship rivals Middlesbrough are also keen. The Nottingham Post claim they could be willing to pay £15 million.
Forest paid Peterborough a club-record £5.5m for Britt Assombalonga
Therefore, from an outside perspective, it seems rather inevitable that Assombalonga will be bidding farewell to the City Ground this summer. Though Forest would surely need more than Daryl Murphy to fill the void.
According to the Northern Echo, Forest are battling Aston Villa and former club Sunderland for the 33-year-old Republic of Ireland international. Just a year after arriving from Ipswich Town for £3.5 million, helping Newcastle secure an immediate return to the Premier League, manager Rafael Benitez has informed him that he has no future at St James’ Park.
And while his bargain price tag makes him an attainable signing for cash-strapped duo Villa and Sunderland, Forest fans would surely be left a little disillusioned if the club identified Murphy as the primary replacement for the prolific Assombalonga.
The Republic of Ireland international is a proven Championship striker, winning the Golden Boot by plundered 27 for Ipswich in 2015/16. Though Forest could, quite literally, afford to aim higher if Assombalonga’s exit earns them a huge cash windfall this summer.
Daryl Murphy netted five goals for Newcastle last season
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
