Nottingham Forest in talks to sign Mainz defender Moussa Niakhate – with Premier League newcomers keen on left-footed centre back who is out of contract at the end of next season
- Moussa Niakhate has played for Mainz in the Bundesliga for four seasons
- Previous to that, the centre back played for Metz and Valenciennes in France
- Notts Forest are in talks to sign Niakhate as they build for their top-flight return
- Forest secured their promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs
Nottingham Forest are in talks to sign Mainz centre-back Moussa Niakhate.
The 26-year-old centre back is out of contract at the Bundesliga side next summer and so while he would be available on a free in 2023, Forest are keen to do a cut-price deal in the next few months.
Steve Cooper’s side are looking for defensive reinforcements following their promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
Nottingham Forest are in talks to sign Mainz centre-back Moussa Niakhate this summer
Steve Cooper’s side are looking for defensive reinforcements following their promotion
Niakhate has been plying his trade at Mainz for four seasons, in a time when he has made an impressive 135 appearances for the side.
He joined the club from Metz in the summer of 2018 having played a season in Ligue 1.
Previous to that, the former France Under-21 international played for Valenciennes in the second-tier of French football.
Meanwhile, Cooper is poised to sign a new deal at the club as reward for guiding Forest back to the top tier of English football.
Forest are preparing for their first season in the Premier League this century, a remarkable achievement for Cooper after he took charge with the club bottom of the Championship.
Niakhate has been plying his trade at Mainz for four seasons, playing an impressive 135 games
With Cooper tied down, Forest are ready to spend significantly this summer to give them the best possible chance of establishing themselves in the top flight.
Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson remains a prominent target, with the clubs hopeful of agreeing a deal in the coming days that would see the England international spend the season at the City Ground.
They are also monitoring Morgan Gibbs-White, who has returned to Wolves after a successful loan spell at Sheffield United.