Forest table €15m bid for 21-year-old as Premier League side move early in summer transfer window planning
Nottingham Forest have made an early move in the transfer market by submitting an offer for highly-rated Real Betis defender Nobel Mendy, as Evangelos Marinakis makes a strategic move for next season.
The Premier League side are looking to strengthen at the back and are aiming to beat competition from clubs such as Benfica and Atalanta for the 21-year-old centre-half.
With their top-flight status all but secured following a strong run of form, Forest are already turning their attention towards the summer window.
Forest move early for defensive reinforcements
Mendy, who is currently on loan at Rayo Vallecano, has impressed in LaLiga this season. The Spanish club secured him on loan from Betis last summer with a conditional obligation to buy for around €2.4 million, a fee they are now expected to trigger.
Forest have moved quickly to try and position themselves at the front of the queue with O Jogo reporting that the English club have tabled a proposal worth €10 million upfront to Rayo, with a further €5 million in performance-related bonuses.
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The Senegalese defender has emerged as one of the more promising young centre-backs in Spain, attracting attention for his physicality and composure on the ball.
Forest’s interest also comes at a time when they may need to reinforce defensively. Brazilian centre-back Murillo has been one of their standout performers this season and is expected to attract significant interest from bigger clubs in the upcoming window.
Should Murillo depart, Mendy could be viewed as a long-term replacement, with Forest keen to invest in young talent as part of their evolving squad strategy under Evangelos Marinakis.
Evangelos Marinakis ready to upset Benfica again: A strategic move?
Beyond just strengthening Nottingham Forest‘s defence by possibly signing Mendy, the move would serve a double purpose for the Greek shipping tycoon.
Marinakis also owns Portuguese club Rio Ave and, with Benfica being long-time admirers of Mendy, signing him for Forest would prevent a league rival from snapping up a long-time target.
This wouldn’t be the first time Marinakis has scuppered Benfica’s plans. In January, Marinakis signed two Benfica targets in André Luiz and Clayton from Rio Ave for Olympiacos, another one of the clubs he owns.
