Much has been made of Nottingham Forest’s failure to sign a new centre-forward before last week’s transfer deadline.
Brentford rejected Nuno Espirito Santo’s offer to sign Yoane Wissa. They missed out on Omar Marmoush because the Egyptian hitman decided to stay with Eintracht Frankfurt.
And, as Feyenoord chief Dennis te Kloese explains, a £28 million deal for Santiago Gimenez fell through after the 2023 Eredivisie winner realised he wasn’t ‘100 percent convinced’ about a move to the City Ground.
However, while the lack of strikers was undoubtedly the most talked-about topic among Nottingham Forest fans in the final days of the window, it appears that the two-time European Champions also missed out on one of their top midfield targets.
According to HITC, Leicester City, Fulham, Everton, and AFC Bournemouth have all expressed interest in Roma ace Edoardo Bove. Nottingham Forest were also in the running.
And Bove’s representative has now confirmed that the East Midlands club was the closest of all his Premier League suitors to completing a deal.
Nottingham Forest miss out on Roma’s Edoardo Bove
Bove would eventually join Fiorentina on a loan-to-purchase agreement that may cost the Serie A club £10 million. His representative believes the ruling was correct.
“It was an unusual summer for Bove. We can’t explain why, but there was no room for him in Roma, so we began exploring elsewhere,” says Diego Tavano, the 22-year-old’s representative, to Radio Firenze Viola.
“There were multiple solutions. The hottest team was Nottingham Forest, but also Ligue 1.”
Tavano says that Bove jumped at the possibility to join Fiorentina when they expressed interest. The Italy Under-21 international joins Amir Richardson, a former Tottenham and Everton target who has arrived from Reims, to form a new-look midfield.
“Having brought Richardson first during the summer, I understood that Fiorentina had something important to say,” according to the agency. “There is a rich history in Florence, as well as a serious club with a high-level project.
“He is quite happy. He knows he made the correct decision.”
Jose Mourinho is a big fan
During his time in charge of the Stadio Olimpico, Jose Mourinho had a soft spot for Bove.
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea boss made the academy graduate a fixture in his Giallorossi team, appreciating what Bove brought to the table ‘technically, tactically and mentally‘.
Comparisons have been made to Italian icon Gennaro Gattuso. Tavano, on the other hand, believes that his client is more than just a high-pressing devil, emphasizing Bove’s often overlooked technical abilities.
“Gattuso was the king of pressing, while Bove is much more,” the agent continues. “He possesses the abilities of an attacking midfielder.
“Perhaps Roma’s wish was to play more, and they must have assumed he wasn’t ready. But this is not the case. He’s a physical and generous footballer. He will develop into a complete player who can benefit both Fiorentina and, hopefully, the national team.”
On deadline day, Nottingham Forest signed James Ward-Prowse on loan from West Ham, while Bove agreed to terms with Firoentina.