Nottingham Forest are showing 'serious' interest in Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi and have even made a first bid, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Forest linked with Malinovskyi

The Reds were linked with a move for the 29-year-old earlier in the week, with the club seeing him as someone who could further take their midfield up a gear.

Malinovskyi has won 49 caps for Ukraine and made 128 appearances for Atalanta, registering ten goal contributions (six goals and four assists) in Serie A last season.

While Forest are yet to get their man, a new update suggests that they are pushing hard.

The Latest: Interest 'serious', bid made

According to Calciomercato [via Sport Witness], the Reds are 'serious' about bringing in Malinovskyi, having 'already made' a €15million (£12.6m) bid for him.

Atalanta want 'closer to €20m (£16.9m)' though, and the level of interest in the Ukrainian means they can drive up his price.

It is stated that he ‘could indeed be the next to go' from the Serie A club this summer, however, giving Forest hope.

The Verdict: Is he needed?

Malinovskyi's pedigree speaks for itself, given his international experience and the fact that he has made nine appearances in the Champions League in the last two seasons.

That being said, Forest just need to make sure they don't overbuy in the summer transfer window, to a point at which Steve Cooper has too many options all of whom need bedding into an unfamiliar system.

Midfield does still arguably look the most in-need area for reinforcements, but a move for Cheikhou Kouyate looks all but done and Lewis O'Brien and Orel Mangala have already been added.