Nottingham Forest have opened negotiations with Brighton & Hove Albion over the transfer of Neal Maupay, according to the Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath.
The 25-year-old is set to miss his side’s Premier League fixture against Newcastle United today as negotiations continue over a permanent move to the City Ground after three seasons at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton have set the transfer fee at £15 million, which could take Forest’s summer spending spree to £125m.
Forest have already snapped up versatile Watford forward Emmanuel Dennis, who can slot in anywhere across the front three.
They are closing in on a double swoop for free agent Cheikhou Kouyate and Atalanta midfielder Remo Freuler.
Despite the arrival of Taiwo Awoniyi earlier in the window and Dennis, Steeve Cooper still wants a new striker, prompting the Reds to move for Maupay.
The former France U21 international has been Brighton’s top scorer in each of the last three Premier League seasons, with at least eight goals in each campaign.
However, he was deemed surplus to requirements after the return of Deniz Undav from Brighton’s sister club Royal Union-Saint-Gilloise.
Serie A side Salernitana had submitted an offer worth around £15m for the Frenchman earlier in the window but received no response.
Negotiations between Brighton and Forest are now at an advanced stage.
Cooper is not done rebuilding his squad as he still wants a new left-back and winger before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
The newly-promoted club have spared no expense and are intent on staying in the top division this season after making it back to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.
Forest opened their Premier League campaign with a loss against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side, and Cooper would be looking to get their season back on track when they welcome West Ham United on Sunday.
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