Nottingham Forest could sign Watford winger Philip Zinckernagel on loan but face competition from West Ham United for Hibernian left-back Josh Doig, as reported by The Athletic.
As a sleeping giant looks to put a miserable 2020/21 campaign behind them, Forest will need a lot more than a new back-up goalkeeper, one who has played just three league games in the past two seasons.
Forest completed the signing of USA international shot-stopper Ethan Horvath this week – but that feels like the start of their summer rebuild rather than the end.
Given that Chris Hughton’s side scored just 37 goals in 46 games last season – less than the relegated trio of Wycombe Wanderers, Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham – some extra cutting edge is a must.
Danish schemer Zinckernagel may be available too after struggling to make his mark at Watford.
According to The Athletic, a loan bid from Nottingham Forest is being considered for a man who contributed a staggering 19 goals and 24 assists as Bodo/Glimt won the Norwegian league title in 2020.
Can Nottingham Forest fight off West Ham for Josh Doig?
But while Zinckernagel appears to be within Forest’s grasp, a deal that would see one of the biggest talents in Scotland move south of the border won’t be quite so straightforward.
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£5 million-rated Doig has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, The Athletic throwing West Ham’s name into the frame.
A swashbuckling left-back who has been compared to Kieran Tierney and hailed by Steven Gerrard – the Rangers boss insists Doig is a player with “huge potential” – the Hibs man would likely be Forest’s most expensive signing since Joao Carvalho in 2018.
The East Midlands giants could have one key advantage over West Ham, though, offering the teenager regular first-team football at the City Ground.
Should he join the Hammers instead, Doig would have the mercurial Arthur Masuaku and the ever reliable Aaron Cresswell for competition.
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