Lars Veldwijk was a huge disappointment at Forest after moving from Holland – but Groningen’s Mimoun Mahi appears far more likely to be a success.
The last time Nottingham Forest brought in a striker on the back of a prolific spell in Holland, it’s fair to say fans were left distinctly underwhelmed.
17 games and one goal later, however, and Veldwijk could be considered one of the biggest flops in Forest’s recent history before leaving to join Kortrijk in Belgium in 2016.
Forest fans, then, may be a little concerned to learn that the club is planning a January move for another forward who has cultivated a reputation for being a prolific goalscorer in Holland.
Veldwijk 2.0?
The Sun claims that Mimoun Mahi is set to earn a move to England thanks to his fine form at Groningen and Nottingham Forest are in the hunt for the 23-year-old. Mahi, who has a £2 million release clause in his contract, has been watched by Premier League duo Stoke and Swansea while Bristol City are also ready to rekindle their interest after seeing a bid rejected in the summer.
And Forest should put Veldwijk to the back of their minds. For one, the misfiring targetman had only scored at a decent rate in the second tier whereas Mahi’s goals have come in the top flight of Dutch football.
The Moroccan international has 16 goals in 26 games in 2017 alone, one of the best records in the Eredivisie, and, unlike Veldwijk is far from one dimensional. Blessed with real pace and cool finishing, Mahi can either play in the centre or on the wing, giving Forest boss Mark Warburton options in attack.
Dutch imports may be something of a mixed bag in England but Mahi is far more likely to succeed than Veldwijk.
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