Karim Coulibaly signing paves the way for 21-year-old to leave Nottingham Forest - verdict

Nottingham Forest's new interest in Werder Bremen centre-back Karim Coulibaly could pave the way for Jair Cunha to leave in this window.

Forest are preparing for a busy end to the summer transfer window as Oliver Glasner shakes up his squad ahead of his first season in charge.

The Austrian mainly deployed a back-three formation during his successful time in charge of Crystal Palace, and is expected to do the same in the East Midlands.

He has already bolstered his defensive options with the £34.3million signing of Ousmane Diomande, and journalist Luca Bendoni has reported that Coulibaly is on their radar right now.

The 19-year-old German youth international is very highly rated in his home country and could well arrive at the City Ground soon.

His potential signing would surely push fellow centre-back Cunha towards an exit after rumours of interest from abroad in his signature.

Karim Coulibaly boasted better stats than Jair Cunha last season

Cunha joined Forest from Botafogo a little over a year ago, and made 15 appearances across all competitions in his debut campaign at the club.

He was stuck behind Murillo, Morato and Nikola Milenkovic in the centre-back pecking order under four different managers, and has now seen Diomande arrive to provide even tougher competition for places with fewer games to play in this season.

The 21-year-old never truly impressed in the Premier League, as opposed to 19-year-old Coulibaly who featured in 27 Bundesliga games as he seamlessly stepped up during his maiden senior campaign.

Germany under-21 international Coulibaly was more proficient in attack, as he scored one more goal and also had a better long ball and cross accuracy rate than Cunha in their respective leagues.

Coulibaly also made more interceptions, clearances and blocks per 90 minutes, while they were level for tackles and times dribbled past per 90.

Cunha did win more ground duels per 90, while Coulibaly won more aerial duels and was a better dribbler than the Brazilian defender.

The German starlet's statistics highlight that he could well have been identified as a replacement for Cunha, given their similar ages, profiles and price tags.

Sources have revealed to Football Insider that Forest need a late signing spree to meet Glasner's transfer demands this summer, with another defender clearly on his radar to fit the style and formation he wants to play.

Who could Cunha join in the coming weeks?

Cunha's tough first season has seen him linked with a move away from the City Ground this summer, with several clubs registering an interest in his services.

Reports from Brazil have claimed that Vasco da Gama have held talks with Forest about signing Cunha this summer on loan with an option to buy.

RTI Esporte have also reported that the Reds defender is on Benfica’s list of potential targets to replace the outgoing Antonio Silva, with any potential move set to be completed for around £15m.

There is usually no smoke without fire when it comes to links away after a tough debut season, and Forest may well be planning for Cunha to leave as they line up a move for Coulibaly.