Nottingham Forest make approach for ‘rising star’ Italy midfielder amid Elliot Anderson exit

Nottingham Forest are continuing to assess their midfield following the imminent departure of Elliot Anderson.

Man City are closing in on a deal worth around £116 million for Anderson after identifying the England international as one of incoming new boss Enzo Maresca’s priority midfield targets.

The move represents one of the biggest transfers of the summer and provides Forest with significant funds to reinvest across the squad.

Anderson enjoyed an outstanding campaign at the City Ground, establishing himself as one of Forest’s most influential players with his energy, creativity and ability to drive the team forward from midfield.

The 23-year-old was a crucial mainstay throughout the Premier League season, contributing important goals and assists while also ranking among Forest’s leading performers for chances created and progressive carries.

His displays also earned him senior England recognition and attracted interest from several elite clubs, like Man United, before neighbours City accelerated their pursuit.

Forest’s recruitment team have wasted little time identifying possible successors should Anderson complete his move to the Etihad Stadium.

According to a recent report from Sky Sports, Middlesbrough starlet Hayden Hackney is among the many options being considered by Evangelos Marinakis and co.

The Championship Player of the Year has also been subject to rejected bids from Everton earlier in the window, and Forest are believed to be just as enamored by Hackney.

Sky suggest that Forest could sign as many as two new midfielders after Anderson’s departure, with Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall, Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi and Celtic’s Arne Engels all on their radar.

However, another player who has emerged on the club’s radar is highly-rated young Roma midfielder Nicolo Pisilli.

Nottingham Forest make approach for Roma midfielder Nicolo Pisilli

According to Italian journalist Luca Cerchione, Forest have sounded out Roma over the possibility of signing the Italy international this summer.

Cerchione reports that Como have also made enquiries about Pisilli’s availability.

However, Roma have made their position clear.

The Serie A club have no intention of allowing one of their brightest academy graduates to leave unless they receive what has been described as an extraordinary offer.

That stance reflects the importance Pisilli has grown to hold within Roma’s first-team squad over the past six months.

Nicolo Pisilli’s form for Roma earns him ‘rising star’ status

After forcing his way back into the first team earlier in the campaign, the midfielder became an increasingly important figure from January onwards.

He featured regularly during the second half of the season, earning more starts and playing a key role as Roma ended 25/26 on a fantastic run of form to finish third in Serie A.

Pisilli’s maturity in possession, intelligent movement and willingness to contribute defensively made him a trusted option in central midfield despite still being in the early stages of his career.

His performances did not go unnoticed across Italian football.

The 21-year-old was named Serie A’s Rising Star of the Month for May after finishing the campaign with a series of impressive displays.

The award recognised his consistency during the closing weeks of the season as he continued to establish himself among the league’s most exciting young midfielders.

Pisilli has also progressed through Italy’s youth international system and is widely viewed as one of the country’s leading prospects in his position.

The Azzurri starlet earned a place in Italy’s senior squad as a result of his excellent displays, with caretaker boss Silvio Baldini handing him full starts in both of their 1-0 wins over Greece and Luxembourg after their World Cup qualification heartbreak.

His potential is obvious. The only question is how much money Marinakis will be ready to pay for his signature, with Roma clear that they will only accept big money.