Author: Naandiyak Solomon

According to sources in Brazil, Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz has named the City Ground and the Etihad Stadium as two of his preferred destinations.

Even though Manchester City has already spent more than £130 million during the January transfer window, they are still actively looking to add players to Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup.

The manager of Manchester City has previously maintained that the team has merely proceeded with their intentions to rebuild their first-team roster, choosing not to make significant investments to update their alternatives during the most recent transfer window.

As a result, Txiki Begiristain and his recruitment partners moved quickly to add Omar Marmoush to their forward line and Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis to the middle defensive ranks.

However, Manchester City supporters have been clamoring for action in the defensive midfield position as Rodri is still a ways off from playing again after suffering a double-knee injury and there are still issues on the field in competitive games.

According to Sport Witness’s translation and relay, Pep Guardiola’s team wants the Brazil international on a simple loan deal with no buyout clause, while the Turin-based team wants a sale or loan with a buyout clause. Although the article makes no mention of a transfer fee, it is said that Nottingham Forest, the team led by Nuno Espírito Santo, is “willing to make a large investment” to sign the midfield player. It is currently unclear if Manchester City and Juventus can reach an agreement over the midfield player and if City thinks their former player is deserving of the possible future investment.

Rodri, Pep Guardiola’s go-to defensive midfielder, is not anticipated to make”Every position is crucial for effective play, and for a variety of reasons, we must substitute two players who are not suitable holding midfielders for Rodri this time around.

However, we’ll see what needs to be done later.

When Nottingham Forest hosts Brighton at the City Ground on Saturday, they will be hoping to rekindle their hopes of finishing in the top four.

Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledged that Nottingham Forest’s crushing 5-0 loss to Bournemouth served as a stark reminder of how hard it is to place in the top four this year.

Dango Ouattara’s hat-trick helped lead the Cherries to victory, ending Forest’s eight-game unbeaten Premier League streak with a whimper at the Vitality Stadium.

Forest really experienced their heaviest loss in the competition since a 5-0 thumping at Fulham in December 2023, and they have now given up three or more goals in each of their previous four top-flight losses (a total of 14 goals).

Nuno’s team is still in the Champions League spots, but their chances of qualifying for Europe are now in jeopardy due to victories by Manchester City and Newcastle United last time out.

It must serve as a warning to all of us—the players, the fans, and the coaching staff. Understanding our methods, we can’t give up on certain gaming elements.”

Brighton lost to Everton 1-0 at the Amex Stadium last time out as well, with Iliman Ndiaye’s penalty in the first half making the difference.

Fabian Hurzeler has hinted that the Seagulls may be making reinforcements in the January transfer window to increase their prospects of qualifying for Europe next season, as they currently rank ninth in the Premier League standings.

While striker Evan Ferguson has been linked to a move, Brighton has reportedly made many unsuccessful bids for Derby County defender Eiran Cashin.

Nottingham Forest used 33 players in 38 Premier League games last season, more than any other team in the league.

Under two different managers, it was a period of fight to avoid relegation, and that statistic illustrates the sense of disarray that occasionally loomed over Forest.

In their first season following their return to the top level, 2022–2023—another fight against relegation—they also utilized the most players of any Premier League team, again with 33.

With just 23 games played so far this season, Forest has employed the fewest players of any team in the division, according to head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.

The unity and solidarity Nuno and his squad have helped to foster in the 13 months since he succeeded Steve Cooper is also indicated by that number.

After their 5-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday, it would be easy to overreact and risk shattering that unity, believing that a significant reaction is required to a spectacular setback. particularly during this season.

At Forest, that has before occurred. They lost to Preston North End 3-0 at home in the second-tier Championship on January 30, 2018, dropping them to 15th place in the 24-team standings. Their newly hired manager, Aitor Karanka, called the match the “worst moment” of his career.

With the arrival of Costel Pantilimon, Jack Colback, Adlene Guedioura, Ashkan Dejagah, Joe Lolley, and Lee Tomlin, as well as the nearly finalized agreement for free agent Ben Watson (who joined the following week), Forest essentially made seven new additions the following day, which also happened to be the deadline day for that season’s winter window.

 

On Saturday at 7:30 AM ET, Nottingham Forest (third) and Brighton & Hove Albion (ninth) will square off at City Ground. Watch the game live on Fubo.

Nottingham Forest lost to AFC Bournemouth 5-0 on the road last time out, despite taking 17 shots and outshooting Bournemouth by three.

Brighton’s most recent match was a 1-0 loss to Everton FC at home on January 25. Brighton beat Everton FC by a score of 17 to 3.

 

Bournemouth’s ability to control the midfield has been essential to their remarkable 11-game winning streak.

Despite receiving more and more notice for their performances, midfielders Ryan Christie and Tyler Adams are still not well-known in the Premier League.

Adams demonstrated why he is a vital member of the Cherries during Bournemouth’s decisive 5-0 victory over the weekend.

Christie also attracted attention the week before with a spectacular performance at St. James’ Park, where he was instrumental in the 4-1 victory over Newcastle and received Monday Night Football feature coverage.

Both players are excellent at the elements of the game that are sometimes disregarded; they compete furiously for every loose ball, disrupt play, challenge opponents, and exhibit unwavering enthusiasm.

Adams has topped the Premier League in tackles won (3.4) and interceptions (2.7) per ninety minutes since he returned from injury in October.

In addition, he has recently expanded his skill set by contributing three assists in just two games, including two against Forest.

In a same vein, Christie has consistently supported the Cherries.

He has played in every game since the October internationals, with the exception of one loss at — making sure the team has been playing well during this time.

The midfield group, which now includes Alex Scott and Lewis Cook, is undoubtedly among the strongest in the league.

Cook has maintained his impressive play and prompted discussions of a possible call-up despite playing out of position as a right-back due to injury.

Scott, who contributed significantly in the early going of the season prior to his injury, was also instrumental in Bournemouth’s strong start.

To the question of whether he thought his midfield five was quietly making a name for itself among the best, Iraola said, “It’s hard to draw parallels.

It is reasonable for other managers to defend their midfield players. The competition is fierce, and consistency is crucial, even if I’m sure ours are doing remarkably well.”

 

As the transfer deadline draws near, Nottingham Forest is still interested in teenage defender Taylan Bulut.

Earlier this month, the Schalke teenager was first linked to the Reds.

They have been authorized to pursue him, according to Bild, with the deadline of February 3 approaching.

In an effort to bolster Nuno Espirito Santo’s team, Forest is after Bulut, while Bournemouth is also keen.

Bulut, valued at €2M, might be a steal because Schalke has to generate money fast.

 

Santiago Gimenez admits he was excited when Milan called him last summer, but Feyenoord didn’t accept the Rossoneri’s offer, which was below Nottingham Forest’s.

Mexico international Gimenez is pushing to move to Milan this month, and multiple reports in Italy claim he has already reached an agreement with the Rossoneri.

However, his club, Feyenoord, are reluctant to sell in the current transfer window, so talks between the two clubs are still ongoing.

Feyenoord were unconvinced about the idea, so they asked me what I wanted to do. Other clubs said they would send offers.

I could go to Nottingham, but then I’d have missed a chance to join another club. Therefore, I decided to wait and see what happened.

“However, nothing happened in the following days.

I was convinced the right moment to leave Feyenoord had come because I had won almost everything with the club.

“On the last day [of the summer transfer window], Milan put on the table half than Nottingham had offered, and the club said no.

I understood the club, and I had to stay. It would have been a great opportunity, and I know other chances will come, but when the Rossoneri called me, I thought, ‘wow.’”

Milan had a second opening bid rejected in the January transfer window.

According to Italian sources, it was close to €30m, but media in Mexico and the Netherlands claim the proposal was €20m plus a 10 per cent cut of his future sale.

Feyenoord have reportedly put a €40m price tag on Gimenez.

The 23-year-old has scored 15 goals in 18 appearances this season.

He is a Mexico international, but would not fill a spot for non-EU players at San Siro having an Italian passport.