Nottingham Forest proceed to be energetic in the summertime window, and may very well be set to make one other acquisition…
What’s the phrase?
That’s in line with Foot Mercato, who notes of Steve Cooper’s eagerness to buy in Ligue 1 for added reinforcements.
One ahead they might poach is FC Nantes ahead Moses Simon, who has been courted by European golf equipment for a number of years now.
The Nigerian may group up along with his compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi, who was additionally a summer time signing, and kind a fierce and recent attacking line for Cooper. He is reportedly available for €15m (12.7m).
He may very well be their Sadio Mane
Premier League giants Liverpool reaped the rewards of signing a younger African winger with bundles of tempo and the flexibility to complete, as Sadio Mane went on to win each trophy obtainable to him.
The Forest supervisor will probably be hoping to recreate this feat with the signing of this thrilling Nigerian expertise who will terrify Premier League full-backs.
Should Nottingham Forest signal Moses Simon?
Yes
No
In his ultimate season with Southampton, Mane scored 11 and assisted seven earlier than making the change to Anfield.
Whilst not fairly as spectacular, a decent return of six targets and eight assists for a decidedly mid-table facet does recommend that Simon has the goalscoring and the artistic means to be successful.
Furthermore, his 7.69 progressive carries per 90 recommend he’s somebody who loves to choose up the ball and drive at defences, much like Mane, who used to terrify right-backs as he would reduce inside onto his favoured proper foot and shoot with scary success.
Simon suits this play fashion too, and with a median SofaScore ranking of 7.08, he will be counted on as a dependable menace all through the season.
He had reward rain down upon him after Nigeria’s group stage win on the Africa Cup of Nations, with journalist Oma Akatugba labelling him as “unplayable, unstoppable, unbelievable”.
Not solely had been his targets and assists tally spectacular final season, however the truth that he additionally missed six extra massive probabilities, and created 13 regardless of his eight assists, means that his ceiling can go a lot larger if he can enhance his degree.
Forest may undoubtedly profit from this injection of tempo and vitality, and if he may deliver even a fraction of the success Mane did to Liverpool, then he will probably be liked throughout the City Ground.
Therefore, director of soccer Kyriakos Dourekas should seal a transfer for Simon earlier than the switch deadline on September 1st.