Report: Nottingham Forest set to launch €4million bid for top defensive target with Steve Cooper determined to bring experienced player to City Ground this summer

Nottingham Forest are preparing to make a bid for Besiktas defender Romain Saiss this summer in a bid to bring him back to the Premier League.

Reports in France over the weekend claimed that Forest, along with fellow Premier League side Everton, have been showing an interest in the Morocco international. But it now seems that Forest could be taking their interest to the next step.

According to Turkish outlet Paneka Sport , Steve Cooper ’s side are ‘set to’ make a €4 million (£3.4m) bid for Saiss. If the bid is successful, it will see the player move back to England just one year after leaving Wolves.

During his time at Molineux, the 33-year-old played a total of 206 times, featuring in both the Championship and the Premier League. He was also a key part of Morocco’s memorable run to the World Cup semi-final back in November and December, wearing the captain’s armband for all six of the nation’s games.

Saiss is said to be keen to leave Besiktas this summer and return to Europe, with the defender also having a lucrative offer from Qatar. Cooper, meanwhile, will be looking to strengthen his centre-back options having suffered somewhat of an injury crisis in the position last season.

In February, the Reds had just two fit centre-halves with the likes of Moussa Niakhate, Scott McKenna and Willy Boly all ruled out with injury. Forest also left Steve Cook out of their Premier League squad and failed with an appeal to the Premier League to add him in amid the injury problems.

It’s not the first time Forest have been linked with Saiss, with the club said to have made an enquiry to Besiktas over the centre-back in the closing days of the January transfer window. Forest however added experienced Atletico Madrid defender Felipe to their ranks.

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