Nottingham Forest and Everton are both chasing Romain Saiss, who is expected to move on from Besiktas this summer.
Both Forest and Everton managed to survive in the Premier League this season, but their battle against the drop went deep into the campaign.
Each side will try to strengthen this summer to avoid the same fate and their eyes have been drawn to former Wolves man Saiss.
Nottingham Forest and Everton are both interested in signing the Moroccan, according to French outlet Foot Mercato, and the player wants to stay in Europe when he leaves Besiktas.
The Istanbul club are aware that Saiss is wanted and know he is keen to go.
Saiss has a lucrative offer on his table from a club in Qatar, but heading to the Middle East is not his priority.
The defender wants to remain in a top league ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations and the next World Cup; he also has interest from France.
Saiss, 33, was on the books at Wolves from 2016 until 2022, at which time he exited Molineux to head to Turkey with Besiktas.
Norwich transfer admission over Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest-linked Andrew Omobamidele
The Blades have been credited with interest in the 20-year-old Republic of Ireland defender
Norwich City expect their highly-rated young centre-half Andrew Omobamidele to leave the club this summer. The 20-year-old was the subject of interest in the January window, but a fee in excess of £20m was rejected.
Sporting director Stuart Webber believes the Republic of Ireland defender, who is a team-mate of John Egan’s at international level, will now move on and Sheffield United have been credited with interest.
According to the Sheffield Star, the Blades are keeping tabs on what happens in the coming weeks but could face competition for his signature from Nottingham Forest. Webber recently admitted that Norwich turned down an offer that was more than the £20m they received from Everton for Ben Godfrey.
That fee would be problematic for Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom, who only has a limited transfer budget to work with and that price is expected to be beyond United’s reach as things stand. However, Prince Abdullah is currently looking to attract investment amid takeover interest from two US parties and should his budget change, Omobamidele is exactly the type of player United should be looking at.
Prince Abdullah’s transfer instruction is for permanent signings to be young with plenty of potential and Omobamidele is regarded as one of the most promising defenders outside of the Premier League. He has already represented his country six times.
For now, as the report explains, Heckingbottom and his head of recruitment Paul Mitchell may have to take a watching brief to see what happens. However, the pair will be encouraged by comments Webber made about the defender’s future.
Speaking to the Athletic, Webber said: “We turned down an offer in January, which was bigger than we had for Ben Godfrey. That’s what we think of Andrew and the level of club that is talking to us about him.
“So I think there is a big possibility he could go in this window if I’m honest. Do we want him to? No.
“But it will get to a point where if it helps us do other stuff at the club, and also if it’s right for the player. If we start here on September 1 with Andrew, I’d be very surprised and very happy.”
Nottingham Forest will have the edge financially over United should they make a move, while Leicester City are also a club said to have shown interest.
