Sky Germany report tonight that newly-promoted Premier League side Nottingham Forest have reached a verbal agreement with Mainz defender Moussa Niakhaté.
Negotiations are ongoing with the Bundesliga side, who want around €15m for the former French youth international who is entering the final year of his contract. So far, NFFC have offered around €11.5m.
If the clubs can reach an agreement, Niakhaté will sign a four-year deal with the Premier League side until 2026. Speaking to Bild, M05 Sporting Director Christian Heidel is already resigned to losing the central-defender, whom they don’t expect to be at the club next season.
The 26-year-old joined Mainz from then Ligue 1 side Metz in 2018 for €6m. Niakhaté has played 135 games in all competitions and has become a mainstay in the defence. The Frenchman would be the second defender to leave Mainz this season after Jeremiah St. Juste joined Sporting CP.
Nottingham Forest will then move to sign Union Berlin forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who wants a return to England.
GGFN
