Nottingham Forest: Victor Nelsson contact “ongoing”

The Galatasaray defender has been earmarked as a new summer target by chiefs at The City Ground.

Nottingham Forest are in “ongoing” negotiations regarding a deal to bring Galatasaray defender Victor Nelsson to the Premier League, according to Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio.

Who is Victor Nelsson?

Nelsson is naturally a centre-back who has plied his trade at the Rams Park Stadium since 2021 having moved there from FC Copenhagen, and during his two years at the club, he’s gone on to become a regular feature of Okan Buruk’s first team squad.

In the Super Lig last season, the 24-year-old started 33 out of 36 matches, so despite still having another three years remaining on his contract, his high standard of performances had initially caught the eye of two particular clubs in the top-flight in England.

The Denmark international was reportedly the subject of an accepted bid from Tottenham Hotspur, though it’s since been claimed that talks over a deal have come to an end, whilst Wolverhampton Wanderers were believed to have initiated contact to enquire about the conditions of a move last summer.

However, Steve Cooper might consider entering the market to look for a new central defender after it was revealed that Felipe would miss the start of the new season with a knee injury, so as a result of short-term cover being needed at the very least, the Turkish outfit’s star appears to be a player that the boss is pursuing.

NFFC are interested in @GalatasaraySK defender Victor #Nelsson. Contacts ongoing. #NFFC @SkySport @SkySportsPL

Are Nottingham Forest signing Victor Nelsson?

Taking to Twitter X, Di Marzio revealed that Nottingham Forest have opened discussions with Galatasaray regarding a summer swoop for Nelsson, though has failed to mention whether this would be a loan or permanent move, alongside how much the transfer fee would be. He wrote:

The 2022 World Cup participant is also capable of getting involved with the action in the final third having scored five goals and provided four assists since the start of his career, making him an extremely well-rounded player at both ends of the pitch.

A versatile operator, Nelsson even has the ability to play slightly higher up in both defensive and central midfield as well as in his usual role at the heart of the backline which will be yet another attractive attribute to the boss, hence why he’s opened talks over a move, so this could definitely be one to watch in the near future.

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The Atletico Madrid forward could move to Villa Park “later in the window.

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Aston Villa are now “well-placed” to sign Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, in what could be a “last-minute” deal at a later stage in the transfer window, according to Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor

Who is Joao Felix joining this summer?

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has recently confirmed that Felix will be leaving Atletico Madrid this summer, claiming that the “player’s priority” is either a move to Barcelona, or to remain in Europe, but he already has another offer on the table.

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are also interested, with manager Jorge Jesus personally contacting the Portugal international on a number of occasions to discuss a deal, and a one-year loan deal is potentially in the pipeline.

Back in July, it was reported that interest in the 23-year-old is relatively low, with Benfica hoping it stays that way so they can launch a bid to bring him back late on in the summer window, although they cannot compete with the finances of other potential suitors.

Read The Latest Aston Villa Transfer News HERE

However, in a recent interview with GiveMeSport, Taylor has now detailed that Villa could also make a late swoop in the transfer market, and he indicates they could stand a good chance of winning the race

for the forward’s signature, saying:

“He doesn’t really have any top suitors out there anymore as the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have all moved on and PSG doesn’t really seem to be avenue. The only one that sort of stands out is Barcelona, but again I don’t know what their finances are truly like, so I’m not sure.

“There is going to come a stage where Jorge Mendes is probably going to look to try and get him a last-minute transfer and later in the window is an opportunity for someone to capitalise on, and Aston Villa are well-placed definitely.”

How good is Joao Felix?

There is no doubting that the former Chelsea man is capable of competing at the very highest level, having been lauded as “world class” by journalist Nick Emms during his loan spell at Stamford Bridge last season, but his career has not quite gone to plan.

After bursting onto the scene with Benfica, amassing 24 goal contributions in 26 league games during the 2018-19 campaign, the Viseu-born attacker completed a £113m move to Atletico Madrid, however his performances never justified that price tag.

Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin stated the £240k-per-week earner “had trouble adapting” to Diego Simeone’s system, and after falling out with the manager, he was ultimately allowed to leave.

The Benfica academy graduate came into Chelsea at a difficult time, given the Blues’ struggles in the Premier League last season, but he managed to score four goals in 16 top-flight games,

During his time at Stamford Bridge, the Portuguese attacker continued to demonstrate his attacking flair, ranking in the 93rd percentile for successful take-ons per 90, when compared to his positional peers, and the 95th percentile for progressive carries.

Now that he’s had his first taste of Premier League football, Felix could be a solid signing for Villa, and it is exciting news they are well-placed to sign him this summer.