---
title: "Nottingham Forest: Fabrizio Romano drops Moussa Niakhate transfer claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/nottingham-forest-moussa-niakhate-transfer-gossip-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Clubbe"
section: "Nottingham Forest News"
published: "2022-07-03T11:40:49Z"
modified: "2022-07-03T11:40:49Z"
---

# Nottingham Forest: Fabrizio Romano drops Moussa Niakhate transfer claim

**[Nottingham Forest](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/nottingham-forest-news/) are on the verge of signing Mainz defender Moussa Niakhate, according to reputable journalist [Fabrizio Romano](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1543212858326016000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1543212858326016000%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.caughtoffside.com%2F2022%2F07%2F02%2Fnottingham-forest-close-to-completing-move-for-west-ham-target%2F).**

### The lowdown: Rise to stardom

Having spent much of his early career in the lower reaches of the French footballing pyramid, the 26-year-old made a professional breakthrough at Ligue 2 club Valenciennes, where he racked up [76 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/moussa-niakhate/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/291200) before moving to top-flight outfit Metz in 2017.

The former France youth international centre-back then made a switch to [Bundesliga](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/bundesliga-news/) side Mainz, going from strength to strength whilst amassing [135 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/moussa-niakhate/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/291200/verein/39) for the German club.

It now seems as though Forest are set to make Niakhate their third summer arrival following the [signings](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nottingham-forest/transfers/verein/703) of Taiwo Awoniyi and Dean Henderson.

### The latest: ‘Getting closer…’

Taking to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1543212858326016000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1543212858326016000%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.caughtoffside.com%2F2022%2F07%2F02%2Fnottingham-forest-close-to-completing-move-for-west-ham-target%2F), Romano has claimed that the Reds are nearing the completion of a deal to sign Niakhate from Mainz.

The journalist stated: “Nottingham Forest are getting closer to signing Moussa Niakhaté, deal at final stages. Agreement in principle with Mainz on the fee – some details to be sorted out. #NFFC Niakhaté, expected to become the next signing after Awoniyi, Dean Henderson and Giulian Biancone.”

Elsewhere, [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/3387324/2022/06/29/nottingham-forest-transfer-news-toffolo-williams/?source=emp_shared_article) have reported that the move for a player hailed for his [‘terrific ball-playing abilities’](https://twitter.com/MaaxiAngelo/status/1262041602178142209) by journalist Maxi Angelo will cost a fee in the region of £10m as Steve Cooper looks to bolster the squad at the City Ground.

\[freshpress-poll id=”401921″\]

### The verdict: Well-rounded recruit

Although it’s nigh-on impossible to guarantee the perfect formula for success or even survival back in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/), the Forest hierarchy certainly seem to be equipping Cooper with all of the tools required to stand a chance of meeting their objectives for next season.

During 2021/22, Niakhate [scored four times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/moussa-niakhate/leistungsdaten/spieler/291200/plus/0?saison=2021) in 30 league outings, earning a 6.94 [Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/moussa-niakhate/758168) rating whilst winning 4.3 duels and making 2.2 clearances and 1.7 interceptions per game in the process, highlighting an eye for goal to accompany his superb defensive attributes.

Holding a perceived market value of £16.2m ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/moussa-niakhate/marktwertverlauf/spieler/291200)), the likelihood is that the Reds are landing the Frenchman at a relatively bargain rate, with him being in the [final 12 months](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/moussa-niakhate/profil/spieler/291200) of his contract in Germany, so this can be regarded as a smart piece of prospective recruitment from the club.