Nottingham Forest urged to make surprise 'cheeky' Man United transfer offer

Nottingham Forest should make a move for Manchester United forward Anthony Martial, according to Stan Collymore.

Head coach Steve Cooper faces a crucial summer as the Reds prepare for their return to the Premier League. The arrival of Taiwo Awoniyi at the weekend marked the start of what will be a busy few months for the Reds, before the transfer window closes at 11pm on September 1.

A club record fee secured the signature of Awoniyi, on a five-year deal from Union Berlin. The 24-year-old’s move comes on the back of a season which saw him bag 20 goals in 43 appearances in Germany.

Further attacking reinforcements are likely to be on the cards, however, as Forest aim to hold their own in the top-flight. And while Collymore is tipping Awoniyi to make an impact at his former club, he believes Martial could also fit the bill at the City Ground, urging the Reds to put in “a cheeky cheap loan offer”.

Writing in his column for the Sunday People, the ex-Forest ace said: “If my former club can add in a cheeky cheap loan offer to Manchester United for Anthony Martial, then all of a sudden, along with Brennan Johnson, Forest have a fine blend of experience, youth and ambition.”

Martial spent the second half of last term on loan at Sevilla, where he scored one goal in 12 appearances. He has two years left to run on his contract but faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford.

However, the Reds are expected to sign goalkeeper Dean Henderson on a season-long loan from United. Premier League rules state: “Premier League clubs may not register more than two players on loan at any one time; the maximum number of loans registrable in the same season is four, and, under no circumstances, shall more than one be from the same club at any one