Nottingham Forest handed transfer blow as midfielder bid 'turned down'

Nottingham Forest have had their attempt to sign Lille midfielder Amadou Onana "turned down", according to reports.

The 20-year-old Belgian has been linked with a move to the City Ground after impressing in his first season in France with Lille. Onana moved to Les Dogues last summer from Hamburger SV and appeared 41 times, including eight games in the Champions League.

Onana spent his youth career with Anderlecht and Zulte Waregem before moving to Germany with 1899 Hoffenheim. Despite impressing at under-17s and under 19s level, he never featured for the first team and went on to join German rivals Hamburgers in 2020, making 25 appearances in Bundesliga 2.

He made his Belgium international debut this year on the back of his performances for Lille, seeing interest from Europe increase. West Ham United have joined Forest in being linked, with AS Monaco also reportedly keen. However, Steve Cooper's attempts to lure Onana to the East Midlands seem to have failed.

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the Reds' bid to convince Onana to leave France for NG2 have not gone well. The midfielder and his representatives have reportedly "turned down" the chance to move to the Premier League club.

Cooper is searching for a new midfielder after James Garner's loan from Manchester United came to an end last season. The business so far during the window has been busy with three incomings through the door already.

Taiwo Awoniyi joined for £17million from Union Berlin in June before Dean Henderson and Giulian Biancone followed from Manchester United and Troyes respectively.