Nottingham Forest enter Josip Sutalo transfer battle after Ajax move hits stumbling block

August 5, 2023 Chris Uncategorized 0

Nottingham Forest are exploring the signing of Dinamo Zagreb centre-back Josip Sutalo after top defender target Roger Ibanez also received a separate lucrative proposal from Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli. Steve Cooper is looking to add a left-sided centre-back to his ranks and now attention has turned to Croatian prospect Sutalo, who is one of Europe’s hottest commodities after wowing scouts with a series of eye-catching performances in his homeland last season.

Forest are now believed to be in talks over a deal for the 23-year-old although it’s currently unclear whether they prioritise a move for Sutalo or Ibanez should they receive indications that deals can be struck.

TOP 5 TRANSFERTS : le défenseur croate Josip Sutalo (Dinamo Zagreb), visé par l'OM

Another unnamed Premier League club, understood to be West Ham, have also been exploring the conditions over a deal for Sutalo in the past few days.

David Moyes wants another centre-back and Manchester United are continuing to hold firm over Harry Maguire after the Irons recently saw an opening £20m bid rejected by Old Trafford chiefs.

The Hammers are reluctant to raise their offer for the 30-year-old England international until they receive assurances that the defender is open to the move. There are suggestions he would still favour fighting for his place at United over a transfer to east London.

Ajax have already held face-to-face negotiations with Dinamo Zagreb over the signing of Sutalo but they are yet to get an agreement over the line and there is doubt as to whether a transfer will now materialise.

Director Sven Mislintat was pictured in Zagreb earlier this week where he held discussions over a deal but he has since returned to Amsterdam and the door remains open for rivals to pounce.

Fiorentina launched an opening offer said to be worth just over £10m earlier in the transfer window but Dinamo want at least £20m plus a sell-on clause for their most-prized asset. Napoli have also shown interest.

Sutalo is also believed to be among the names under consideration at RB Leipzig as the Bundesliga club seek to replace Manchester City’s new signing £77m Josko Gvardiol.

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