Sky Sport: Nottingham Forest race to sign star who ‘will leave Liverpool’ this summer
Nottingham Forest Eyeing Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas Ahead of Summer Transfer Window
Nottingham Forest are actively considering a move to bring Liverpool’s Greek left-back Kostas Tsimikas to the City Ground during the upcoming summer transfer window. This development comes as the club looks to strengthen their defensive options and bring in a specialist for the left-back position.
The news was exclusively revealed by Mick Brown, a former chief scout for both Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers, who remains well-connected within football circles. Brown shared with Football Insider that Tsimikas, 29, is among several candidates currently on Forest’s radar as they seek to bolster their squad ahead of the new season.
Throughout the current campaign, Nottingham Forest have primarily relied on Neco Williams to fill the left-back role, while Ola Aina has been their preferred choice on the right side of defense. However, the club’s management, led by head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, is eager to recruit a natural left-back to add stability and experience to the backline. This has prompted them to look beyond their current options.
Last season, Alex Moreno occupied the left-back position at Forest on loan from Aston Villa. However, Leeds United are now reportedly interested in signing Moreno following his short-term spell at the City Ground. This potential transfer could work in Forest’s favor by opening up room for a new specialist left-back.
Brown also revealed that Leeds United share an interest in Tsimikas, setting the stage for a possible competition between the two clubs for the player’s signature. Liverpool, on their part, appear ready to sell the Greece international, especially as they near the acquisition of Bournemouth’s Milos.
Football Insider previously reported on May 26 that Tsimikas could be available for a fee in the region of £15 million. Leeds see him as an immediate upgrade for their starting lineup, which makes the competition for his services all the more intense.
Drawing from his extensive experience in player recruitment — including over a decade at Manchester United during their highly successful period — Mick Brown confirmed that Nottingham Forest are serious contenders in this transfer race. He told Football Insider, “At least one of Robertson or Tsimikas will leave Liverpool. The club does not want to keep three left-backs on their books, especially with Kerkez joining.”
Brown added that Tsimikas has impressed whenever given opportunities at Liverpool and has attracted interest from multiple clubs. Nottingham Forest have thoroughly evaluated his character and skill set to determine if he fits their team ethos and tactical approach. “Nuno is keen to sign a natural left-back, and Tsimikas fits that profile well. However, he is not the only player Forest have been scouting for that role, so it remains to be seen who they ultimately decide to sign.”
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Additional Transfer Targets as Forest Prepare for Europa Conference League
Beyond strengthening the defense, Nuno Espirito Santo has ambitions to enhance the squad across various positions ahead of Nottingham Forest’s participation in next season’s Europa Conference League.
Mick Brown provided another update on June 14, revealing that Forest have also expressed interest in Manchester City’s promising young midfielder, James McAtee. Scouts from Forest have been closely monitoring McAtee’s performances at the Under-21 European Championship, where he captains England’s squad. The young midfielder is seen as a player with significant potential to contribute in midfield.
England’s Under-21 team is currently aiming to defend their title, having secured a 1-0 victory over Spain in the 2023 final, with McAtee playing a pivotal leadership role.
Brown further noted that McAtee is unlikely to be part of Manchester City’s plans for the upcoming season, indicating that the club is open to letting him move on. This has put McAtee on Forest’s radar as a potential signing to strengthen their midfield options.
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Overall, Nottingham Forest are actively planning to reinforce their squad, with the left-back position a key priority. The pursuit of Kostas Tsimikas highlights their ambition to bring in experienced, quality players capable of helping the club compete on multiple fronts in the coming season. At the same time, targeting young talents like James McAtee signals a strategic approach to building a balanced squad ready for both domestic challenges and European competition.