Ghana International Alexander Djiku has emerged as a top transfer target for English Premier League side Nottingham Forest who have reportedly made an offer to secure the services of the Strasbourg player.
French media outlet L’Équipe reports that the 28-year-old has received a formal offer from the English side and are keen to bolster their squad during the summer transfer window.
Nottingham Forest recently bid farewell to Ghana’s national team captain Andre Ayew, as his short-term contract with the former European champions expired at the end of the season.
Djiku, who joined Strasbourg in 2019, is nearing the end of his contract and is poised to become a free agent by the end of this month. Nonetheless, reports suggest that Strasbourg, following their recent acquisition by BlueCo—a holding company spearheaded by Clearlake Capital to develop a multi-club project in support of Premier League side Chelsea—has initiated talks with the centre-back to secure a contract extension by reportedly offering Djiku an improved financial package to entice him into staying.
L’Équipe further reports that Djiku has attracted interest from other clubs, including Lille (France), Besiktas (Turkey), and Mainz (Germany).
Meanwhile, ESPN reports that Manchester United are interested in Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus and FC Utrecht’s Taylor Booth after failing to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea
United have had three bids for Mount rejected, with the latest offer reported to be worth around £55m.
As negotiations appear to have stalled, United have turned their attention to other targets with Ghanaian midfielder Kudus on the shopping list of United manager Eric ten Hag as a fitting substitute for Mount.
Last season Kudus scored 18 goals and provided six assists in 42 appearances as one of the stand-out stars of the Dutch as they finished third in the Eredivisie.
Currently valued at £40 million, Kudus is under contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena until 2025 but he rejected a new deal in April, fueling speculation about his future with the Amsterdam-based club.
United head manager Erik ten Hag coached Kudus for two seasons at Ajax, and it comes as no surprise that the 22-year-old attacking midfielder is on the radar of his former manager as he seeks to bolster his squad for both the UEFA Champions League and domestic competitions.
Source: Graphiconline
