Nottingham Forest have declared their interest in a Rangers defender.
Nottingham Forest transfer news as the January transfer window approaches for Steve Cooper’s Reds
Rangers defender Borna Barisic is apparently still a target for Nottingham Forest. The Reds were connected with the 30-year-old in the summer as they sought to boost their squad following their Premier League survival.
Full-back was one of the positions they prioritized, and left-back Barisic was thought to be on their radar. Forest are still interested in the Croatia international, according to TEAMtalk. However, it appears that they are not the only ones that are interested.
Turkish side Trabzonspor had an offer rejected in the summer. And it is said several other European clubs “would be keen” to snap him up in the future.
Barisic is out of contract at the end of the season and would be free to speak to other teams in January. With that in mind, Rangers have reportedly put forward a fresh two-year deal to try to avoid losing him for nothing.
However, it looks like a move could still be on the cards even if he puts pen to paper on a contract extension. It is said the Scottish outfit “will hope to cash in” if fresh terms are agreed.
Forest went into the summer needing a replacement for loanee left-back Renan Lodi, who went on to join Marseille. Up until injury ruled him out of the last two games, free agent Ola Aina had come in and made that position his own despite being naturally right-footed.
The Reds also brought in Nuno Tavares on loan from Arsenal. He has made three appearances so far but is currently sidelined with a groin problem.
In the absence of Aina and Tavares, head coach Steve Cooper deployed Moussa Niakhate at left-back against Brentford. When he was sent off for a second bookable offence, Harry Toffolo came off the bench and made an impact – then went on to start at Crystal Palace in the game before the international break.
Serge Aurier and Neco Williams are also capable of playing on the left flank. Omar Richards remains on the books at the City Ground but is currently on loan at Olympiacos as he tries to put his injury woes behind him.
Barisic has been a key player for Rangers since making the move from boyhood club Osijek in a £2 million deal in 2018. He has featured more than 200 times for the club.
