Nottingham Forest given Everton transfer opportunity as stance revealed

The latest Nottingham Forest transfer news as Southampton are the latest team said to be interested in Mason Holgate.

Nottingham Forest given Everton transfer opportunity as stance revealed - Nottinghamshire Live

Nottingham Forest could make a move for Everton defender Mason Holgate, with the Toffees ‘open’ to a loan deal this summer.

Forest are one of the teams who were credited with an interest in the 26-year-old. He struggled for first team opportunities in the Premier League last term, making just eight appearances.

According to Sky Sports , Championship side Southampton are ‘trying’ to sign Holgate on loan from Everton, but there is a ‘big gap’ in the percentage of wages that the Saints are willing to contribute. That could potentially open the door for Forest to make their move.

While Everton are said to be ‘open’ to a loan deal, a permanent transfer is their preferred option. However, it is unclear what sort of fee they would be looking for.

Forest were first linked with Holgate in January, with the central defender one of the players Steve Cooper was ‘considering’ as he looked to bolster his defence . The Reds are still keen to add a centre-back to their squad before the end of the window, and were said to have made a bid for Roger Ibanez before he moved to Saudi Arabia.

Forest are also said to have made an approach to Atalanta for defender Mirh Demiral. The 25-year-old is reportedly available for transfer, but wants to stay in Serie A, where Inter Milan are credited with an interest.

As well as a new central defender, Cooper is keen to sign a left back and a midfielder before the window closes on September 1.

Dimitar Evtimov raves about two Nottingham Forest players

Dimitar Evtimov left Nottingham Forest in 2018 and he was well impressed with Anthony Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi yesterday. The Reds were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal as the curtain came up on the 2023/24 campaign.

Dimitar Evtimov - Bulgaria | Player Profile | Sky Sports Football

The Reds needed a spirited second-half performance to keep Arsenal at bay. Goals from Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka had seen the Gunners threaten to run riot at the Emirates Stadium.

Forest gave it a go in the second half, however. Awoniyi and Elanga both stepped off the bench to give the Reds some fresh impetus with the pair combining for the goal.

Evtimov didn’t quite make the grade at the City Ground. He played just three times for the senior ranks and spent time on loan with Burton Albion, Port Vale and Mansfield.

The goalkeeper now plays for CSKA Sofia in his homeland. He’s made 25 appearances for the Bulgarian giants and kept an impressive 14 clean sheets.

Yesterday he was pretty impressed by Elanga and Awoniyi. The two combined to score for the Reds following a blistering counter-attack by Forest.

Evtimov felt that the desire the pair showed was a great example for younger players. The pair will hope to combine on a few more occasions as the season progresses, with both very important.

Evtimov impressed by Forest duo

The Reds were impressive on the counter yesterday but they need to do it more. Forest were good when they showed attacking intent and Steve Cooper will be striving to do that.

The Reds nurtured Evtimov through their academy. He didn’t play the amount of football that he desperately craved but at 29 now he’s made a pretty decent career out of the game.

Forest will now move on to their game against Sheffield United on Friday night. The Reds will be hoping to get a big three points on the board in front of their own supporters.

Elanga and Awoniyi will both push to be starters for that game. When the pair are up to speed it could be frightening just how effective the pair can be together.