Nottingham Forest's chances of signing Jean-Philippe Mateta revealed amid 'shift in attitude'
Nottingham Forest are unlikely to make a fresh attempt to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in the remainder of the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Eagles would swiftly prise the Reds out of any fresh attempt to prise their star man away.
The East Midlands outfit have also been heavily linked with both Liam Delap and Beto, as they work to strengthen the frontline for Oliver Glasner.
Wyness believes that the duo are both "better-suited" for Forest in terms of both their price tags and their styles of play.
The Reds have had a difficult summer in the transfer market, with their move to sign Xaver Schlager on a free transfer still their only new addition.
They have been heavily linked with Mateta in the previous two windows, but Wyness does not expect a deal to come to fruition this time around either, despite Glasner being at the helm.
Nottingham Forest have turned attention away from Jean-Philippe Mateta
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that it would take a drastic "shift in attitude" for Forest to make a renewed attempt to sign Mateta in the coming weeks.
The Scottish businessman believes that owner Evangelos Marinakis has already given up in the chance of signing the 28-year-old, and would require serious convincing to make another move for him.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained that both Delap and Beto are far more likely candidates.
"Yes, did think the Meteta relationship with Glasner would be important, but it's going to come down to price as well," he said.
"Palace don't want to let him go, so they're going to be sticking out there for quite a price. And I think that Forest have got other options. Both Delap and Beto may suit Forest better price wise.
"I don't think Forest could get Meteta in unless they really pushed the boat out. It depends what pressure Glasner puts on Marinakis as well as to whether he wants him, but it would take a shift in Forest's attitude.
"I think Mateta is a stronger option than Delap and Beto, no doubt about it. I think he's a higher quality, but that's going to be reflected in a higher price."
Nottingham Forest set for 'massive loss of revenue'
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider on Saturday that Forest are set for a "massive loss of revenue" by not agreeing a new front-of-shirt sponsorship deal.
The new ban on gambling companies as front-of-shirt sponsors has created major difficulties for several Premier League clubs this summer, with the Reds one of three teams who are yet to agree a deal.
Borson indicated that sponsorships of that ilk are "completely critical" to a club's finances for a season, and could leave a big hole at the City Ground.
Forest have still not been able to fix the issue, which has become almost as big a problem as their lack of signings.