Latest Nottingham Forest transfer news as Steve Cooper’s Reds face key summer window

Nottingham Forest are said to have had an attempt to sign Galatasaray winger Kerem Akturkoglu thwarted.

Reports in Turkey claim the Reds put forward an offer of 11 million euros (£9.5m) for the 24-year-old as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming Premier League season. According to Takvim, however, the bid was deemed “very low” by the Turkish side and was rejected.

The report adds Akturkoglu is receptive to the idea of playing in English football’s top-flight but “respected” his club’s decision. It is suggested Forest are expected to try their luck again with a revised offer “in the coming days”, having been tracking the player for six months.

But the Reds could face competition from elsewhere as a number of clubs in Europe are said to be eyeing him up. Galatasaray are reportedly anticipating an offer from Lyon, who have shown an interest in the Turkey international for some time.

Akturkoglu made the move to Galatasaray from Erzincanspor in 2020. Last term, he netted 10 goals and weighed in with 14 assists for his team.

Forest are looking to bolster their attacking resources this summer. With head coach Steve Cooper eager for the club to push on, after securing survival with a game to spare on their return to the Premier League, the club face an important transfer window.

They are yet to make any new additions, aside from striker Chris Wood’s loan from Newcastle United turning into a permanent move. Transfer activity is likely to ramp up next month, however, with outgoings as well as incomings expected before the September 1 deadline.

The Reds’ focus is on quality over quantity, following last year’s record-breaking summer when 22 players came in on the back of promotion being secured. Cooper has said there will be “more normal” numbers this time around.

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Report: Nottingham Forest face AC Milan battle for £120k-a-week target

Nottingham Forest face a real battle to sign Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi with Fulham and even AC Milan now interested.

That is according to a report from The Guardian, who claim that Hudson-Odoi is a man in demand this summer.

Forest’s interest is again stated as Steve Cooper eyes a reunion with the Chelsea wide man.

Reports from the Daily Mail in May suggested that Forest were interested in signing Hudson-Odoi for around £10million.

The Guardian suggest that Fulham and AC Milan have now joined the race and that the fee for Hudson-Odoi will actually be in the region of £15million.

West Ham United are also thought to be keen but are focusing on Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes as their top target.

Hudson-Odoi is allegedly ‘ready to find a new challenge’ having been left frustrated with his situation at Chelsea.

Milan have already put a deal in place to sign Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek and may fancy adding Hudson-Odoi too.

Forest will therefore face a fight for Hudson-Odoi, but Cooper will be hoping his history can help secure a deal.

Steve Cooper has already worked with Callum Hudson-Odoi

Cooper knows Hudson-Odoi well having previously worked together in the England youth setup.

Hudson-Odoi was part of the Under-17 World Cup-winning squad back in 2017, scoring against Chile in England’s first game of the competition.

Hudson-Odoi played a key role for England and started in the final against Spain as Cooper clinched the trophy.

Cooper has previously signed two of his former England Under-17 stars for Forest with Jonathan Panzo and Morgan Gibbs-White arriving.

Panzo, Gibbs-White and Hudson-Odoi all started in the final and Cooper has even signed other players from that squad in the past, taking Joel Latibeaudiere, Rhian Brewster and Marc Guehi to Swansea City.

That squad clearly meant a lot to Cooper and it’s no surprise that he now wants to sign Hudson-Odoi too.

Maybe a move to Forest can help Hudson-Odoi get back on track again after a disappointing loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen.

The 22-year-old is far from a lost cause, though Forest would have to dig deep to match his £120,000-a-week wages at Chelsea.

Let’s just hope Cooper’s personal touch can tempt Hudson-Odoi into making the move to the City Ground.