Nottingham Forest Plot Second Attempt for Brighton Midfielder Yasin Ayari
Nottingham Forest are reportedly considering a renewed move for Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Yasin Ayari, following the swift rejection of their initial £20 million offer. According to sources, the Championship club made their opening bid on Thursday, which was promptly turned down by the Premier League side.
Ayari's Rising Profile at Brighton
The 22-year-old Swedish international has become an integral figure for Brighton this season, making 23 appearances across all competitions. During these outings, Ayari has contributed four goals and one assist, showcasing his growing influence in midfield. His performances have also earned him 17 caps for the Swedish national team, underlining his development into a player of considerable promise.
Recent Transfer Activity Between the Clubs
This potential move continues a pattern of transfer interest between Nottingham Forest and Brighton in recent months. Forest previously expressed interest in Brighton players Jack Hinshelwood and Lewis Dunk last autumn, followed by a formal bid for Dunk earlier in January. At that time, Brighton were reluctant to part with Dunk, and the defender has since signed a one-year contract extension in December, likely keeping him at the club until at least the summer.
Forest's Busy Transfer Window Strategy
Nottingham Forest are expected to remain active as the transfer window progresses. The club has already made multiple offers for Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, though decisive discussions on that deal are anticipated to occur after the upcoming Premier League fixture at the City Ground on Sunday. In other moves, Forest have secured Italy forward Lorenzo Lucca on loan from Napoli for the rest of the season and terminated Douglas Luiz's loan spell from Juventus, facilitating his return to Aston Villa.
Strategic Squad Planning Amidst Potential Departures
With England midfielder Elliot Anderson anticipated to leave Forest this summer for a club-record fee, the pursuit of players in his position takes on added significance. This proactive approach suggests Forest are aiming to bolster their midfield options early, potentially to mitigate the impact of Anderson's expected departure and strengthen their squad for future campaigns.
