Pundit encourages Nottingham Forest star to sign for Derby County this summer

A Nottingham Forest player has been asked to join Derby County this summer, as his future is uncertain.

Changes will be required at the City Ground in the coming weeks, as Forest must sell certain players before June 30th.

Nuno Espirito Santo had a big job on his hands at Forest this season after the club received a four-point deduction for their involvement with FFP.

To avoid further problems heading into the new season, Nuno may be obliged to part ways with some of the club’s prized assets.

However, some players will leave Forest in the coming weeks as their contracts expire.

This could also be the case for teenager Ateef Konate, who will spend the next several weeks looking for a new club after learning that his contract is coming to an end.

Ateef Konate urged to make Championship move this summer

Konate has only made three appearances for the Forest first team since signing in 2020, and his time at the City Ground is coming to an end.

The 23-year-old previously spent time on loan with Oxford United in 2022/23, but this season he is playing in Premier League 2.

And, after scoring six goals and assisting twice in the U21 division, the Frenchman was unable to secure a call-up to Nuno’s squad.

According to AfricaFoot, Konate is being scouted by many Championship clubs, including Leeds United, Sunderland, and Derby County.

According to Football League World, pundit Carlton Palmer has advised the midfielder to move down to the Championship with Derby.

Ateef Konate, the 23-year-old Nottingham Forest midfielder, has taken to social media to thank the club’s supporters and personnel, since he plans to leave next season,” Palmer added.

“It has not been the best move for Ateef. Since joining Forest, he has yet to appear in the Premier League.

“Derby are completely rearranging their playing squad. Sunderland has demonstrated its ability to develop young players, although they have yet to appoint a manager.

“Leeds United will be competing for promotion next season, and they need a forward player.

“Where would he fit in?” I think Derby could be the greatest option for Ateef; it’s just down the road from Nottingham, and Paul Warne works with young players and knows how to get the most out of them, so I believe that would be a fantastic transfer for him.”

A big summer awaits Nuno Espirito Santo and Nottingham Forest

Last summer, Forest’s resolve to hold out for the best possible price on Brennan Johnson backfired, earning them a points deduction.

This time, Evangelos Marinakis will be far more conscious of the hazards that can result from a run-in with the FFP requirements, and he may thus be much more proactive before the June 30 deadline.

However, a careful balance must be drawn between Forest selling to raise the necessary finances and not selling too many players, which would jeopardize Nuno’s chances for the following season.

Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo are two players who could be on the move, with interest from a number of clubs.

Forest has an interesting few months ahead of them, but if they’ve learnt anything from this season, some changes will be required to avoid another near call in the struggle to stay in the top tier.