Sources: Nottingham Forest in advanced talks to sign Loic Bade ahead of Southampton
Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks to sign Rennes defender Loic Bade, sources have told Football Insider.
The Premier League new boys are set to beat Southampton to the capture of the 22-year-old.
Forest are putting the finishing touches to landing Bade on a permanent deal.
The centre-back moved to Rennes last summer (2021) and has played 22 times across all competitions for the Ligue 1 club, scoring once and providing two assists.
The France Under-21 international still has four years left to run on his contract but has only featured once this term.
Forest are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements despite bringing in 19 new players this summer.
Centre-back Wily Bolly became the latest new face through the door earlier on during deadline day (1 September) as he joined from Wolves on a two-year deal.
Steve Cooper has focused on bolstering his attacking ranks and relied on the likes of Steve Cook, Scott McKenna and Joe Worral in a back three.
They shipped six goals away at Man City on Wednesday (31 August) and they have now conceded 11 goals this term.
Only Bournemouth, who were hammered 9-0 by Liverpool at the weekend (27 August), have let in more (16).
The two newly-promoted sides meet each on Saturday (3 September) at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest currently sit 15th in the Premier League after five games, with Bournemouth one place behind with both sides level on four points.
In other news, Nottingham Forest have submitted a last-gasp bid for an Everton-wanted striker.