An update has emerged on Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Djibril Sow in the summer transfer window…
What’s the talk?
Sport1 reporter Christopher Michel has confirmed that the player has opted against a £22m (€26m) move to The City Ground.
He Tweeted: “Decision made: Djibril Sow negotiated intensively with @NFFC for days. The salary would have more than doubled, the transfer fee would have been 20 million € + 5-6 million € bonuses. But Sow called it off! He will not join #Nottingham.”
This came after he initially Tweeted: “Exclusively @SPORT1: Nottingham Forest is vying for Djibril Sow! The Premier League newcomer offers around 19 to 20 million euros, bonuses could make the package even more expensive. Sow could also earn significantly more. The future of Sow suddenly open again. #SGE #Eintracht”
Big blow for Steve Cooper
The news that Sow has turned down the Tricky Trees may leave the head coach frustrated because the reported fee and the claim that he would have his wages doubled suggests that he was a key target for the club.
A fee of £22m would be a club-record for Forest after the £17.5m deal to bring Taiwo Awoniyi in from Union Berlin smashed their previous record.
Cooper being willing to sanction such a move for Sow, therefore, suggests that he was eager to sign him as it seems unlikely that a club-record fee would be splashed out for a back-up target or a player to come in as a squad option.
This means that Forest will now have to look elsewhere in the market to improve their options in the middle of the park, with this failed move showing that the manager wants to strengthen in that position.
Another reason why missing out on him is a blow is because of the quality he had the potential to provide the team in midfield.
In the Bundesliga last season, Sow made 3.4 tackles and interceptions per game across 31 appearances. Orel Mangala, playing in the same division, meanwhile, managed just 1.0 per match in 28 outings.
The Belgian scored one goal and set up three, whilst completing 84% of his passes, while the Frankfurt man completed 83% of his passes whilst chipping in with two goals and three assists.
These statistics suggest that the Switzerland international, who is only one year older than Mangala, performed to a higher level in the same competition as the current Forest player last term. They had a similar impact in possession but offered more quality on the defensive side of the game, which may be why Cooper wanted to bring him in.
Therefore, being rejected by Sow will come as a frustrating blow to the manager and the club will now need to source an alternative in the market in the coming weeks.
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