Report: Nottingham Forest want to sign £9m forward who plays like Wilfried Zaha
Yesterday at 12:00 PM
Nottingham Forest have recruited very well when it comes to wingers in recent times.
The £3m signing of Callum Hudson-Odoi from Chelsea looks to be even more of a bargain with each passing week, while Newcastle’s £35m move for Anthony Elanga, who cost the Garibaldi just £15m, proves that was also a shrewd deal.
Now, Nottingham Forest are looking to sign depth behind the aforementioned duo with a move for one of Spain’s brightest talents…
Nottingham Forest want Assane Diao
A story from Estadio Deportivo in Spain now states that Nottingham Forest are keen to sign Assane Diao.
The Spanish news outlet believe Real Betis came close to selling the Spain U21 international to Feyenoord for €11m (£9m) during the summer transfer window – a bid that was accepted – although the forward himself decided not to move.
Diao was being described as one of La Liga’s most precocious talents not long ago, but he has fallen down the pecking order under Manuel Pellegrini due to the arrivals of other forwards such as Vitor Roque, making just one league start this season.
Nevertheless, the 19-year-old still boasts immense potential, with Nottingham Forest keen to see him realise it at the City Ground.
Nuno Espirito Santo could sign Wilfried Zaha 2.0
Diao is yet to become a household name in football, so a comparison to a better known player might help.
Interestingly – according to Football Talent Scout – the teenager plays like Wilfried Zaha, who certainly made a name for himself on these shores at Crystal Palace, scoring 68 Premier League goals.
Football Talent Scout describe Diao as an “explosive and fast winger” who boasts “incredible acceleration” – he can also operate centrally, so Nuno Espirito Santo could get himself a versatile forward who can interchange with Elanga and Hudson-Odoi.
Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as a deal could materialise in January if the Real Betis No.38 still cannot break into Pellegrini’s starting XI.
