Transfer news: Nottingham Forest linked with move for Super Eagles midfielder

by Devesh Jaganath

image Transfer news: Nottingham Forest linked with move for Super Eagles midfielder
With just a couple of weeks remaining in the winter transfer window, clubs are on the clock to finish bolstering their squads for the remainder of the season. Nottingham Forest have been in the headlines in recent days, having reportedly made enquiries with Lazio about Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

Reds considering winter transfer for Lazio’s Dele-Bashiru 

Nottingham Forest have reportedly made enquiries with Serie A outfit Lazio about the availability of Nigerian international Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

The Tricky Trees are enduring a difficult season in the Premier League, currently sat in 17th place with 21 points in as many games ahead of their Matchday 22 fixture against league leaders Arsenal at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon. You can get all the key insights for that match in our Premier League predictions. 

It is understood that Lazio is asking for a price in the range of €15m for the Super Eagles’ midfielder, who joined the Biancocelesti in the summer of 2024 after an impressive season in the Turkish Super League for Hatayspor.

The Reds are believed to be facing a few restrictions relating to Financial Fair Play and would prefer signing the 24-year-old on a loan deal initially, with an option to make his move a permanent one at the end of the 2025-26 Premier League season. 

It is unclear if Maurizio Sarri’s side will agree to such a deal, given that they are currently facing similar financial issues and are likely to use the funds to bolster their squad for the remainder of the season after enduring a transfer ban last term. 

Dele-Bashiru recently returned to Sarri’s squad following months on the sidelines due to injury, and is widely expected to see his minutes at Stadio Olimpico reduced after the club secured the signing of Kenneth Taylor from Dutch giants Ajax. 

Dele-Bashiru suffers disappointment in AFCON 2025 semi-final

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While Dele-Bashiru may have to make a big call on his club future in the coming weeks, his immediate focus will be on helping Nigeria secure the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations against Egypt in Casablanca this weekend. Check out our Egypt vs Nigeria prediction.

The Super Eagles’ hopes of claiming a fourth continental title came to an end in midweek when they were held to a goalless draw after extra-time by tournament hosts and favourites Morocco, before losing the penalty shootout 4-2. 

Dele-Bashiru was brought on by Eric Chelle for Akor Adams in the 98th minute. The 24-year-old successfully slotted away his spot kick in the shootout, but misses from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi ultimately cost the Super Eagles a chance of reaching the final. 

Nigeria will now hope to return from Morocco with the bronze medal, while the Atlas Lions will meet Senegal in the grand final in Rabat, after the Teranga Lions edged the Pharaohs to a 1-0 victory in the first semi-final on Wednesday afternoon.