Nottingham Forest 'join race' for 68.5% duel winner amid Neco Williams 'update'

Nottingham Forest have reportedly entered the race to sign Slovenia international Srdan Kuzmic this summer.

The 22-year-old has spent the last three years with Viborg in the top league of Denmark, but is set to leave this summer.

The full-back has just a year remaining on his contract and will reportedly be sold for a fee in the region of £850k.

Toulouse, Dinamo Zagreb and Nottingham Forest are said to be involved in the race for Kuzmic, who made 34 appearances across all competitions last season at left-back.

It is unclear what the Tricky Trees' plan for the defender is, but there remains some uncertainty surrounding the future of Neco Williams this summer.

The Wales international is of interest to several Premier League sides this summer and could still depart for a sizable fee.

Nottingham Forest in the mix for Srdan Kuzmic

Kuzmic's career began with Slovenian side ND Ilirija 1911, before he moved on to NS Mura in 2022.

After just a year there, Viborg spent around £425k to bring him to Denmark and he has proved to be a reliable option.

The 22-year-old has made 81 appearances for Viborg in three years, appearing at both right-back and left-back.

Kuzmic even featured at centre-back in the early stages of his career, and is capable of playing all three positions well.

Last season was spent at left-back, however, and it appears to be the position in which he thrives, earning him a return to Slovenia's national team.

According to Nogomania, Nottingham Forest have "joined the race" for Kuzmic's future and are keen to sign him.

With Olympiacos and Rio Ave both falling under Evangelos Marinakis' multi-club model, it could be possible that the defender is being bought for an immediate move elsewhere.

Why is Kuzmic a target?

Given his impressive defensive numbers, it is no surprise that Kuzmic has emerged as a target for Nottingham Forest.

The defender recorded an impressive 7.71 defensive contributions per game last season in the top flight of Denmark.

Those contributions include 5.02 recoveries, 4.44 clearances and 1.75 tackles per game, with the Slovenia international also recording 5.24 duels won and a 68.5 per cent aerial duel win rate.

Attacking is not Kuzmic's speciality - he recorded just 0.76 chances created and took 0.76 shots per game.

But Nottingham Forest may well have identified an incredibly cheap utility defender, who could well turn out to be a very smart signing.