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.
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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.
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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.
