Aitor Karanka has been busy so far in his first summer transfer window as Nottingham Forest boss, signing nine players so far and breaking Forest’s transfer record
What’s the story?
With the help of his former agent Jorge Mendes, Karanka is building a squad full of quality with players heading to the City Ground from top European teams including Benfica and Monaco.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis also provided the funds for the club to bring in midfielder Joao Carvalho from Benfica for £13m, more than doubling their previous record signing of Britt Assombolonga from Peterborough for just £6.2m.
The Spanish boss will be hoping for a title challenge next season and one Prem youngster who could push Forest on would be Liverpool youngster Ben Woodburn.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the 18-year-old is a target for both Sheffield United and Norwich this summer.
Creative midfielders
In Liverpool’s pre-season games Woodburn has been used as part of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield three and if Forest were to win the race for his signature he could dovetail well in midfield with Joao Carvalho.
Karanka has also confirmed that a defensive midfielder is a priority, meaning that the creative Woodburn and Carvalho could both be given more licence to roam and create opportunities for the three further new signings who are likely to play upfront – left winger Diogo Goncalves, right-winger Gil Dias and striker Lewis Grabban.
After netting against Leeds in an EFL Cup match in 2016, Woodburn became Liverpool’s youngest ever scorer and he could be the perfect signing for Forest this season to help their promotion push.
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