Nottingham Forest have made contact to sign Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi in January, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Summer interest

Fellow Premier League side West Ham, alongside Steve Cooper’s outfit, were heavily linked with a move for the 29-year-old over the summer, although both clubs refused to pay the €50m (£43m) asking price, meaning that a deal failed to materialise before the deadline.

The Ukrainian’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, with a cut-price deal therefore on the cards, and it sounds like the two top-flight rivals are now set to battle it out for his signature.

The Latest: Forest make contact for Malinovskyi

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato (via Sport Witness), Forest and West Ham are among ‘four clubs’ wanting to sign Malinovskyi in the New Year.

The Reds have ‘already made contact’ with Atalanta chief Antonio Percassi to enquire about a potential move, with a minimum offer of €30m (£26m) enough to be seriously considered.

It’s made clear that the destination should ‘please the player’, so if Evangelos Marinakis meets the asking price, all he needs to do then is convince him to join.

The Verdict: Absolute bargain

Atalanta knocking £17m off Malinovskyi’s valuation due to his contract situation is something that Forest must exploit by getting this prospective deal over the line.

Hailed by football talent scout Jacek Kulig as having a ‘weapon’ of a left foot, the Ukraine maestro is renowned for offering a creative spark, which is shown in the 141 goal contributions he has made throughout his 351 career appearances.

Cooper will surely be attracted to the 29-year-old's versatility having also operated as a winger, which could make him the complete package for a move to the City Ground.