Nottingham Forest have £17m bid for Anan Khalaili rejected by USG | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest have made a move for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise wing-back Anan Khalaili.

However, The Athletic reports that their opening bid has been rejected as Forest continues their search for reinforcements on the right side of the pitch.

Forest offered a package worth up to €20 million (£17m), including performance-related bonuses, but the Belgian champions are holding out for a much higher fee.

Union Saint-Gilloise value the 21-year-old closer to the €28m (£24m) package that had previously been agreed with Inter Milan before that deal unexpectedly collapsed.

Forest are reluctant to match their asking price, although they’re not throwing in the towel yet.

The club hierarchy are determined to back Oliver Glasner in the summer market, and Khalaili is one of several targets on Forest’s extensive shortlist.

Khalaili looked set to join the Italian champions earlier this summer, only for the transfer to fall through after he was unable to secure the required medical clearance.

That setback opened the door for other suitors to swoop in, meaning Forest now have to contend with Premier League rivals Bournemouth and Newcastle United, who are also interested.

Forest have reignited their interest in Khalaili after they were unable to reach an agreement with Feyenoord for right-back Givairo Read.

With that option no longer progressing, they have now turned their attention to Khalaili, who is highly rated following an impressive spell in Belgium.

The versatile defender has built an impressive reputation since joining Union Saint-Gilloise from Maccabi Haifa in 2024.

He played an important role in helping the Belgian side win their first league title in 90 years before featuring in the Champions League, where he scored three goals in eight appearances.

He has also represented Israel 16 times at senior level and is under contract until 2028. Glasner wants players who can thrive in his wing-back system, and Khalaili fits that description.

He’s comfortable as either a wing-back or winger and offers tactical flexibility. He also stands at 6ft and will add some of the physical presence Glasner wants in his squad.

Forest are also facing a fight to keep Neco Williams, who has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur.