Transfer Centre

Nottingham Forest 'join Aston Villa' in race for 27-year-old free agent

By Darren Plant, Senior ReporterPublished: 05 July 2024 12:15 PM

Rivalry forgotten? Forest 'battling Villa' for 27-year-old free agent

Nottingham Forest are reportedly prepared to rival Aston Villa in the race to sign a forward that has just been released by a Premier League rival.

Nottingham Forest have reportedly joined Aston Villa in the race to sign a Premier League-proven free agent.

On the back of securing their top-flight status for another 12 months, Forest worked tirelessly throughout June to ensure that they complied with the division's Profit and Sustainability Rules.

That was achieved through the likes of Odysseas Vlachodimos, Moussa Niakhate and Orel Mangala departing in deals that totalled in excess of £50m, as well as a number of players being released or returning to their loan clubs.

Forest are now in a position where they can add further fresh faces to their ranks, joining the likes of Elliot Anderson and Eric da Silva Moreira.

With the prospect of more big-money sales materialising, Forest can perhaps afford to spend more freely in the market, but it appears they are currently targeting what would be a shrewd piece of business.

Leicester City's Kelechi Iheanacho in action with Southampton's Armel Bella-Kotchap on March 4, 2023 © Reuters

Forest in race to sign Iheanacho

According to Football Insider, Forest have entered the race to secure a deal for Kelechi Iheanacho, formerly of Leicester City.

Iheanacho's seven-year stint at the King Power Stadium has just come to an end, with the Nigeria international contributing with 61 goals and 34 assists from 232 appearances in all competitions.

The 27-year-old is now contemplating the next phase of his career, aware he is not short of admirers who will be willing to acquire his services.

Forest are seemingly prepared to put their rivalry with Leicester aside to sign Iheanacho if the relevant parties can agree on personal terms.

Leicester have recently shown that they were prepared to forget the past, appointing former Forest head coach Steve Cooper as their new boss.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery before the match on May 9, 2024 © Reuters

Are Villa as interested as they were during June?

Last month, it was suggested that Villa were interested in bringing in Iheanacho as backup for Ollie Watkins.

That came at a time when Jhon Duran was being heavily linked with a switch to Chelsea, but that transfer has failed to come to fruition.

As a result, the West Midlands outfit are said to have placed less priority on signing Iheanacho, which could subsequently let in Forest.

Lewis Dobbin has also been signed from Everton, while Cameron Archer has returned from Sheffield United and a buyer must be found for the academy graduate.