Report: Nottingham Forest leading the chase for ‘outstanding’ 26-goal striker

Nottingham Forest are now considered among the frontrunners to sign Brazilian striker Pedro this summer. The Reds are being linked with a few strikers this summer as they look to bolster their options in attack.

According to Tutto Mercato Web, the Reds are now rivalling Al-Hilal for the signing of the talisman. Clubs tried to sign him in January but Flamengo were standing firm on a £25 million valuation.

Pedro does have some experience playing in Europe. In 2019 he left Fluminense for Fiorentina but made just four appearances for the Serie A outfit before returning to Flamengo.

With that failed spell in mind, he might have a sense of unfinished business in Europe. Forest and Brentford are both unnerved by his Fiorentina spell and have made initial enquiries.

Pedro is playing well during 2022/23. He’s found the net on 26 occasions from his position as a trademark number nine and has also laid on a further four assists.

Forest have a decent Brazilian contingent. Felipe, Danilo and Gustavo Scarpa are in place at the City Ground; whilst other players from the country are being looked at.

That aspect could sway Pedro towards a move to the City Ground. The player has also made six appearances for Brazil and clearly, he will be eyeing more caps in the future.

It’s interesting that Forest aren’t the only club currently keeping a close eye on Pedro. The latest report suggests that Brentford and Tottenham are keen but they’re not considering the player as a priority this summer.

Forest keen to sign Pedro this summer

This would be an intriguing signing. South American football expert Tim Vickery claimed back in November that although he wasn’t particularly quick, he’s an outstanding finisher and comes alive in the penalty area (Sky Sports).

Pedro is banging them in right now in Brazil and he could move on this summer. As a result, it’s perhaps not a surprise that Forest are considering a move for the player.

At 26, Pedro is approaching his prime as a centre forward. The fee of £25 million would perhaps represent a bit of a risk but ultimately, he does appear to know the way to goal.

Forest need to ramp up their transfer activity in the coming weeks. Several new players will be required and Pedro would certainly be an exciting option for the club to consider.

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Notts County boss Luke Williams has lauded Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper after seeing his team beaten 1-0 by the Reds on Saturday. Hwang Ui-jo scored the game’s only goal but in fairness, there wasn’t a deal in the game.

The Magpies won promotion to League Two last season. They endured a rollercoaster of emotions at the end of the season, scoring a couple of late goals to keep their promotion dreams alive.

Forest ensured that they remained in the Premier League for another season. Cooper was tasked with the impossible given the transfer window of 2022 but he defied the odds.

Now, ambitions are high once again for both Nottingham-based clubs. Forest will want to continue stabilising as a top-flight outfit; whilst Notts will eye a second successive promotion.

Williams has now lauded Cooper following his team’s defeat. After the game, he was seemingly happy to have a chat with the Forest head coach who delivered some brilliant advice.

The Magpies’ boss told BBC: “He’s total class, isn’t he, he came and spent some with me before the game this time last year and that helped me hugely, it really did.

“I’ve had some time with him again – he’s a Premier League manager, you don’t get that opportunity very often – and we’ve tried to encourage him to have a chat again with his staff and my staff.

“It’s brilliant to be able to share the technical area with him.”

Notts County boss Williams praises Forest head coach Cooper

It’s good to see the two clubs building a rapport with each other. Forest should work out some sort of relationship with County that allows the club to send youngsters to Meadow Lane on loan.

Ryan Yates benefited from moving across the River Trent earlier in his career. As a result, it perhaps makes a lot of sense, certainly from a Forest perspective.

It’s no surprise to see Cooper being as down to earth as ever with one of his counterparts. He always comes across as a brilliant man and ultimately his stock couldn’t be higher at Forest.

The 43-year-old will hope his team can kick on next season. It wasn’t the best of starts to pre-season, despite the win, and the boss will hope to see some new arrivals in the coming weeks.