Exclusive: Brighton respond to Nottingham Forest approach
Brighton have rebuffed an enquiry from Nottingham Forest for captain Lewis Dunk, sources have told Football Insider.
Forest boss Sean Dyche is a big fan of Dunk and had targeted a move for the central defender to bolster his defensive options in this month’s transfer window.
However, Brighton have quickly rejected Forest’s advances and have no plans to sell the 34-year-old.
Dunk, who has made 22 appearances so far this season, agreed a one-year extension with the Seagulls in December to keep him at Brighton until 2027.
Nottingham Forest push for late centre-back addition
Forest are set to block any approaches for Murillo in the final week of the window, as the Brazilian has repeatedly been linked with a big-money exit in recent months.
The Reds have become somewhat stretched in terms of options at the centre of their backline, and that is something that they are looking to address with a new addition, rather than losing another player in that area.
Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic remain the first-choice pairing for Dyche at the moment, but Morato is then the only genuine senior option to provide cover for that duo, given that Willy Boly and Jair Cunha remain firmly out of favour.
That issue is aided somewhat by the fact that the East Midlands outfit do not operate with a formation that employs a back three, but their options are still concerningly short at the moment.
That is proven by their attempt to prize Dunk away from Brighton, and while Forest have had their attempt rebuffed on this occasion, it is clear that a centre-back is one of their last-minute priorities before the 2 February deadline.
Sean Dyche gets fresh Elliot Anderson security
Football Insider revealed last week that Manchester City cannot afford to move for Elliot Anderson in the remainder of the January window, as the midfielder now looks set to stay at the City Ground at least until the summer.
Pep Guardiola’s side have had an expensive window already with the additions of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, and there are no remaining funds for them to go out and pursue a move for Anderson.
That is the ideal scenario for Dyche and Co., who have been adamant that the England international will not leave in the middle of the season, but are sure to still have had concerns amid all in the interest.
The 23-year-old has been linked with almost every club in the ‘big six’ in recent months, although he remains under contract at the City Ground until the summer of 2029.
The fresh security surrounding the midfielder will be welcome for Forest, who will rely heavily on him in their fight against relegation in the second half of the campaign.