Nottingham Forest will have to wait for free agent target Che Adams as they attempt to bolster Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad this summer.
The striker’s contract with Southampton will expire at the end of this month. The Reds aim to improve their attacking resources and keep an eye on him, but they are not the only ones.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are also reportedly interested in the 27-year-old, according to BBC Sport, as are Italy, the MLS, and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, when the Saints revealed their retained list last week, they stated that conversations were “ongoing” about the player’s prospective new contract.
However, it appears that Adams’ future will not be decided quickly because he is now representing Scotland at Euro 2024. According to the BBC, his status is “unlikely to be resolved” before the tournament begins, with Scotland facing Germany in the opening game on Friday night.
Forest and Wolves are thought to “remain the favourites” in the race for his signing. The fact that the front man is available on a free transfer makes him especially appealing to the Reds, who were punished four points last season for breaking financial rules.
Forest has had Adams on its radar before. He was on the Reds’ wanted list in January 2020, when Sabri Lamouchi was the manager.
Leeds United were among the teams interested in the forward at the time. However, he ended up staying on the south shore.
Adams, who formerly played for Ilkeston Town, has spent the last five years with the Saints, having joined from Birmingham City in 2019. He has made over 160 league appearances and scored 49 goals for the club. During the 2023/24 season, he scored 16 goals to help Southampton return to the Premier League via the play-offs.
