AliousNottingham Forest’s pursuit of a new striker has taken several unexpected turns in January, with the latest speculation continuing the trend of uncertainty surrounding their transfer plans.
Initially, it was anticipated that Forest would rekindle their interest in Santiago Gimenez, especially as manager Nuno Espirito Santo sought to find a reliable competitor for Chris Wood.
However, it now appears that Gimenez has fallen off the club’s radar as multiple other forwards have been linked with a move to the City Ground.
Among the targets were Yoane Wissa, seen as an ambitious acquisition by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, and Petar Musa from FC Dallas, a player who would provide a similar option to Wood in terms of style and physicality.
Forest’s strategy for acquiring a new forward seemed to hinge on the potential sale of Taiwo Awoniyi, with West Ham previously showing interest in the Nigerian striker.
However, it now seems that Forest may want to retain Awoniyi, who is trusted by Espirito Santo.
While a bid for Awoniyi could still materialize, Forest are likely preparing for the possibility of keeping him for the remainder of the season, which adds an intriguing twist to their forward search.
This brings us to the latest name to be linked with a move to the City Ground: Francesco Pio Esposito.
With 33-year-old Chris Wood nearing the later stages of his career, it makes sense that Forest would look to the future, and Esposito, an Inter Milan academy graduate, fits the bill.
The 19-year-old has impressed in Italy, and according to reports, Nottingham Forest have joined the likes of Manchester United and Leicester City in the race to sign him.
While it seems unlikely that Forest will make a move for a striker this January, especially with the situation around Awoniyi still unresolved, Esposito is viewed more as a future investment.
Under contract with Inter Milan until 2027, Esposito is expected to remain with the Serie A side through the winter transfer window, though a summer move could be on the cards.
This timeline could work well for Forest, allowing them more time to decide on Awoniyi’s future or possibly add a third striker should they secure European football next season.
Esposito’s performances this season in Italy suggest that he could provide an exciting new dimension to Forest’s attack.
Standing at 6’2″, Esposito has developed a physical presence similar to that of Wood, which is reflected in his success in aerial duels.
He also has a keen eye for goal, regularly finding the target with his shots, which would make him a valuable asset in the Premier League.
One area where Esposito outshines Wood, however, is in his creativity. The young forward averages 1.31 chances created per game, compared to Wood’s 0.38, highlighting his ability to contribute to his team in more ways than just finishing.
Given his age and potential, Esposito could benefit greatly from learning alongside a seasoned player like Wood. This combination of experience and youthful flair could provide Forest’s attacking options with a new dimension as they plan for the future.
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