Marinakis wants Lois Openda to ditch Leeds interest and join Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest have been quick in the race to sign the attacking star, but he was already on Leeds United’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window.

Nottingham Forest are chasing the Serie A star

Tricky Trees have a lot of work to do if they want to return to European contention next season. Over the past two years, they have experienced the highs and lows of the Premier League, but narrowly avoided relegation. Now, under Vitor Pereira, they will be aiming to go beyond the dropzone.

Evangelos Marinakis is never shy when it comes to spending money, either. While much of the focus has been on Elliot Anderson’s future this summer, those at the City Ground are also looking to strengthen their own.

Names such as Jan Ziolkowski and Jean-Philippe Mateta have both threatened to steal the headlines, and this could cause a major shock with Crystal Palace’s move to the Midlands.

Whether Forest can lure the Frenchman to the City Ground is another question entirely, however, just months after his move to AC Milan fell through in the final stages of the January transfer window.

It’s not just Crystal Palace that Trick Trees are looking to upset this summer, either. According to Italy’s Tutto Juve, Marinakis wants Lois Openda to join Nottingham Forest instead of Leeds in the coming months.

The Juventus striker is on the verge of a one-year exit from Turin after completing a disappointing €40m (£35m) move, and while Leeds have been closely watched as they linked up and prepared a bid, Forest have since entered the race.

Marinakis and the Midlands club are reported to believe they can renew the striker and get one over their Premier League rivals in the process.

£35m Openda could replace Chris Wood

Nottingham Forest have suffered for many reasons this season, but the biggest reason was the absence of Chris Wood. Apart from the striker, who has spent most of his campaign on the sidelines, they have missed a consistent goalscorer as they face a tough task in Europe and the Premier League.

While Wood has returned to full fitness, his injury has given Pereira a glimpse of what’s to come. The New Zealander is now 34 years old and slowly approaching retirement, giving Forest a problem they could solve by signing Openda.

Despite struggling at Juventus, it’s worth noting how much the Belgian flourished at RB Leipzig and it’s that version of him that Hlathi would like to unlock.

It might not be a bank-breaking deal for Marinakis, either. Juventus could even approve a loan move to Openda if they fail to make the money at the right rate, giving Forest a huge boost.

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