Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur are set to do battle in the transfer market, with both Premier League sides looking to strengthen this summer.
The first port of call for Forest may be signing a new midfielder, following Elliot Anderson’s big-money move to Manchester City, whereas Tottenham have already made two big signings in the middle of the park.
Indeed, Spurs have made a real statement by signing Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United, alongside Sandro Tonali from Newcastle United.
Having improved their midfield, Roberto De Zerbi’s side have now set out to bolster their backline, with Sevilla’s Joaquin Oso emerging as a target, but they will face competition from the Tricky Trees in the race for the left-back’s signature.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Forest’s interest in signing Oso may be explained by the fact current left-back Neco Williams is attracting interest from Manchester United and Newcastle. Spurs, on the other hand, have already signed Andy Robertson, but the Sevilla star is able to play further forward at left-wing, which is a position they are keen to strengthen. |
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Finances |
The versatile full-back has less than one year remaining on his Sevilla contract, which means the Spanish side are willing to cash-in for just €10m (£9m) this summer. |
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Insight |
Former Sevilla player Jesús Galván has lauded the 23-year-old as “dynamic, very powerful and with an innate ability to create danger”, and he picked up two goals and three assists in 21 La Liga matches last season. |
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Impact |
For Forest, the Sevilla star could be brought in as a replacement for Williams, should the Welshman join a rival Premier League club. As for Tottenham, they have been credited with an interest in Rafael Leao and Marcus Rashford, but the La Liga ace could be a low-cost alternative. |
Nottingham Forest and Tottenham battling to sign Oso
According to a report from Vamos Mi Sevilla FC (via Sport Witness), Nottingham Forest and Spurs are now doing battle to sign Oso, alongside Premier League rivals Newcastle.
Sevilla are keen to extend his contract, but they have thus far been unable to do so, potentially opening the door for a move to England, although Villarreal, Real Betis, Real Sociedad and Fiorentina are also keen.
Why Oso may be more suited to Forest than Spurs
Tottenham already have Robertson, Djed Spence, and Destiny Udogie to choose from at left-back, meaning the only logical position the Malaga academy graduate could fit in is at left-wing.
However, he only scored two league goals last season, and created just three big chances, whereas Leao was on the scoresheet nine times in the Serie A for AC Milan and Rashford amassed 17 goal involvements in 32 La Liga outings for Barcelona.
With that in mind, Spurs can probably do better than Oso when it comes to bringing in a left-winger, but he could make an impact for Forest as a Williams replacement.
In Sevilla’s derby against Real Betis back in March, the Spain-born full-back made two tackles and won five of the seven duels he contested after being brought on at half-time, highlighting his ability to make an impact from a defensive point of view.
That said, the Tricky Trees’ number one priority should be to keep hold of Williams, considering the former Liverpool man is already Premier League proven.
