MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 11:43:27| >> :60:706:706:

Nottingham Forest 'join Aston Villa' in race for 27-year-old free agent

Rivalry forgotten? Forest 'battling Villa' for 27-year-old free agent
© Reuters
Nottingham Forest are reportedly prepared to rival Aston Villa in the race to sign a forward that has just been released by a Premier League rival.

Nottingham Forest have reportedly joined Aston Villa in the race to sign a Premier League-proven free agent.

On the back of securing their top-flight status for another 12 months, Forest worked tirelessly throughout June to ensure that they complied with the division's Profit and Sustainability Rules.

That was achieved through the likes of Odysseas Vlachodimos, Moussa Niakhate and Orel Mangala departing in deals that totalled in excess of £50m, as well as a number of players being released or returning to their loan clubs.

Forest are now in a position where they can add further fresh faces to their ranks, joining the likes of Elliot Anderson and Eric da Silva Moreira.

With the prospect of more big-money sales materialising, Forest can perhaps afford to spend more freely in the market, but it appears they are currently targeting what would be a shrewd piece of business.

Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho in action with Southampton's Armel Bella-Kotchap on March 4, 2023© Reuters

Forest in race to sign Iheanacho

According to Football Insider, Forest have entered the race to secure a deal for Kelechi Iheanacho, formerly of Leicester City.

Iheanacho's seven-year stint at the King Power Stadium has just come to an end, with the Nigeria international contributing with 61 goals and 34 assists from 232 appearances in all competitions.

The 27-year-old is now contemplating the next phase of his career, aware he is not short of admirers who will be willing to acquire his services.

Forest are seemingly prepared to put their rivalry with Leicester aside to sign Iheanacho if the relevant parties can agree on personal terms.

Leicester have recently shown that they were prepared to forget the past, appointing former Forest head coach Steve Cooper as their new boss.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery before the match on May 9, 2024© Reuters

Are Villa as interested as they were during June?

Last month, it was suggested that Villa were interested in bringing in Iheanacho as backup for Ollie Watkins.

That came at a time when Jhon Duran was being heavily linked with a switch to Chelsea, but that transfer has failed to come to fruition.

As a result, the West Midlands outfit are said to have placed less priority on signing Iheanacho, which could subsequently let in Forest.

Lewis Dobbin has also been signed from Everton, while Cameron Archer has returned from Sheffield United and a buyer must be found for the academy graduate.

ID:547510:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5187:

Click here for more stories about Kelechi Iheanacho

Click here for more stories about Nottingham Forest

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Nottingham Forest's Murillo celebrates with the Player of the Season trophy after the match on May 19, 2024
Read Next:
Chelsea transfer blow? £70m defender open to joining three other PL clubs
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!