Nottingham Forest are going to be upping the ante in the quest to sign new players this summer.
Forest face Brentford in a little over a week and if last night’s 0-0 draw with Fiorentina proves anything, it’s that the squad is threadbare.
Dan Ndoye got some praise for his Forest showing at the City Ground but a lack of goals across the pitch is a bit of a concern at the moment.
Anthony Elanga was sold by Forest to Newcastle last month in a blow to the preparations for the new campaign.
Now, one pundit has thrown a name into the mix as someone who could add some depth to the squad following his departure.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty ImagesGabby Agbonlahor says Forest should sign Raheem Sterling
Elanga’s void will hopefully be filled by Ndoye but strength in depth will define the Forest squad this season.
As a result, more wingers will be sought before the transfer window closes and Agbonlahor thinks Sterling would be ideal.
The former England forward was on loan at Arsenal last season but barely played and has now returned to Chelsea.
Agbonlahor thinks Sterling could be ideal for Forest as they look to replace Elanga and add meat to the bones of the squad.
He told TalkSPORT: “Sterling has been playing at the elite level for 13 years; we forget what he’s done.
“Forest have lost Anthony Elanga, so why not? I think when you get to the last couple of days, Chelsea are going to be like, ‘We don’t want this player’, they will even offer to play so much of his wages to do a deal because over the course of 12 months, that’s big money to save.
“They might get a good deal there.”
Forest can do better than Sterling
Signing Sterling would be considered a backwards step and although not every signing needs resale value, the cons outweigh the pros with the Chelsea man.
He’s not wanted by the Blues for a reason and although they’re a much bigger club than Forest, he’d be unlikely to make an impact on Trentside.
Sterling is way beyond his best and the club would still have to fork out a significant salary to bring the player to the City Ground.
The Reds need to make sure the squad is strengthened this summer but signing players like Sterling is simply asking for bad news and hopefully this name won’t come on to Forest’s shortlist this summer.