Nottingham Forest have reportedly added an AC Milan loanee to their list of potential summer transfer targets.
The East Midlands outfit are currently bidding to end the 2024-25 campaign with Champions League qualification and a piece of silverware.
As well as sitting in third position in the Premier League table, Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side are preparing to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Given their previous points deductions and near misses with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations, Forest are not necessarily in a position where they can spend freely in the summer market.
Nevertheless, securing a place at European football’s top table for next season would bring in previously unanticipated revenue and allow Nuno and club officials to target a higher calibre of player.
© Imago
Forest looking at Milan fringe player
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Forest are interested in negotiating a deal for Alexis Saelemaekers.
The Belgium international has been spending the campaign on loan at Roma, where he has contributed an impressive six goals and two assists from 16 outings in Serie A.
Furthermore, the versatile midfielder made seven outings in the Europa League prior to Roma’s elimination, and he has put himself in the shop window since recovering from ankle surgery earlier in the campaign.
Forest, as well as Newcastle United, are said to be considering whether to make a move to sign the 25-year-old on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
Milan are allegedly prepared to demand a fee in the region of €25m (£20.83m) who holds a contract at San Siro until 2027.
© Imago
Is Saelemaekers worth the money?
Having made just one appearance for Milan since the end of 2022-23, it is clear that club officials do not view Saelemaekers as a player who can succeed at their club.
That said, this is a player who still has 158 appearances in Serie A to his name, chipping in with 18 goals and 16 assists for Milan, Bologna and Roma.
His ability to play in a range of roles is also a major positive, and any club participating in Europe could benefit from his presence in the squad.
On a negative note, it is questionable whether he would become a first-choice pick at either Forest or Newcastle. Since January 2020, Saelemaekers has made 70 appearances from the substitutes’ bench.
