Why Jean-Philippe Mateta transfer could be vital for Nottingham Forest | OneFootball

"The options they (Forest) have had up front have been okay, but I think they can get better," former Reds player and manager Stuart Pearce said in an interview with Betway. "If Mateta comes and delivers what we've seen over the last year or so from Palace, I think that could be a piece of the jigsaw that would suit Forest brilliantly. They need someone to hold the ball up, run in behind and to score goals, and I think Mateta has proved that he can do that."

Forest have already added Lorenzo Lucca on loan from Napoli, but want another striker before the window closes on Monday.

Mateta is among their targets as deadline day nears. A £35m offer has been made to the Eagles, who reportedly could allow the Frenchman to leave if a package around £40m is tabled and a replacement is secured.

Igor Jesus has led the line for much of the campaign in the absence of last season’s top scorer, Chris Wood. Igor Jesus scored his second Premier League goal at the weekend as Sean Dyche’s side won 2-0 at Brentford.

Wood’s 20 goals last season helped the Reds finish seventh, and the New Zealand international remains sidelined following knee surgery toward the end of last year.

"When he took over, the recent history of the club was defending quite deep and counter-attacking under Nuno Espirito Santo. So he has built on that. He's gone back to what the players are used to, and what they enjoy playing."

"I think Dychey is an outstanding Premier League manager. He's got a lot of experience."

Forest are guaranteed at least a Europa League play-off place beyond the league phase and are five points clear of the bottom three.

Source: Nottingham Post