Sources: Nottingham Forest 'ready to pounce' ahead of Crystal Palace to sign Fofana
Nottingham Forest are battling Crystal Palace and several other European clubs in the race to sign AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana, sources have told Football Insider.
Oliver Glasner is keen to add some quality depth to his options in the middle of the park ahead of his first season at Forest since leaving Palace.
Elliot Anderson's departure has seen the Austrian focus on making midfield additions, with compatriot Xaver Schlager signed earlier on in the window.
Fofana has emerged as an option for the Reds as Milan make him available, with several years of experience in Europe's top-five leagues under his belt.
Forest are keen on signing him, and as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Crystal Palace are rivalling their former boss for the Frenchman's services.
New manager Pierre Sage is ramping up their transfer plans after the arrivals of Dwight McNeil and Evann Guessand in the last week.
Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace enter Youssouf Fofana race
Fofana has amassed 88 appearances for the Rossoneri since joining in 2024, but is not part of new manager Ruben Amorim's plans.
The 27-year-old has featured 25 times for the French national team since his debut in 2022, while also being a regular in the Champions League with Monaco and Milan.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “I think there'll be a lot of rival interest in Fofana for Forest. You've got Crystal Palace, Villarreal, Real Betis, and other teams all interested in Fofana.
“And with the player being sort of cast aside at Milan, I think there'll be a lot of clubs ready to pounce for his signature."
Forest tipped to explore Tammy Abraham transfer
Glasner is yet to bolster his attacking options this summer, but Forest have targeted several strikers as he looks to shape their squad to his own liking.
Former club scout Bryan King has revealed to Football Insider that the Reds could move to try and sign Villa frontman Abraham in the closing stages of the window.
Abraham's dream return to Villa Park has not gone to plan so far, with just three strikes in 16 appearances for the club in the second half of last season.
The emergence of teen star Brian Madjo could push him down Unai Emery's pecking order, with Forest potentially an attractive move to get more game time.