Miltos Marinakis wanted to bring 29-year-old to Nottingham Forest this summer
Mitos Marinakis was desperate to bring Michy Batshuayi to Nottingham Forest during the summer. The Reds were tying up a deadline day move for the striker but they opted for Divock Origi in the end instead.
According to The Athletic, it was the son of Evangelos Marinakis who was keen to sign Batshuayi. It’s thought that Miltos is a long-term admirer of the striker and was keen to get his man.
Forest pushed really hard to sign him previously and the desire at boardroom level was to test the water once again this summer. However, once it became clear that Origi was available, Forest pressed ahead with that one instead.
Batshuayi is currently playing for Fenerbahce in Turkey. He will remain there for the 2023/24 campaign after failing to win a move away from the club during the summer.
The 29-year-old has played in England before with Chelsea and Crystal Palace. It’s been overseas where he’s had the most joy though and last season in Turkey he scored 20 goals in 32 appearances.
Marinakis fancied bringing Batshuayi to Forest
In truth, Forest have ended up with a better player in Origi. He has a much better pedigree in the Premier League and the club have managed to get him on loan in the first instance.
Batshuayi might have been useful but he’d have likely commanded a sizeable wage packet. The Reds did need some more firepower and it is easy to see why Marinakis fancies Batshuayi to do a job.
Forest have now moved to strengthen their squad with Origi. He will hope that he can hit the ground running at his new club and now leave Forest to wonder what might have been with Batshuayi.
