Striker wanted by Nottingham Forest agrees £50m transfer and it could help Sean Dyche

Nottingham Forest are eager to strengthen their attacking options before the transfer window slams shut on Monday.

The Reds have already moved to bring in Lorenzo Lucca, but it appears another forward remains firmly on their radar as the deadline approaches. Adding extra firepower would be a major boost, with Forest desperate to avoid slipping back into the EFL.

As the window heats up, however, one striker previously linked with Forest now seems set to join a rival Premier League side instead.

All hope is not lost for Sean Dyche, though. Crystal Palace have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Jørgen Strand Larsen, with NRK claiming the Eagles are prepared to pay a hefty £50 million to secure his services in the coming days. The Norwegian has struggled for regular minutes at Wolves this season, despite their position at the foot of the Premier League table with just eight points.

Even so, Palace view Strand Larsen as the closest stylistic replacement for Jean-Philippe Mateta and are ready to back that belief with a significant investment. Forest had previously considered Strand Larsen as a long-term successor to Chris Wood but were unwilling to meet Wolves’ valuation, believing better value could be found elsewhere.

That stance may now open the door for Forest to pursue Mateta themselves. The Reds are keen on the Palace striker ahead of the deadline, although Tottenham have also entered the picture and can offer the lure of Champions League football.

With time running out, Forest will be determined to ensure the squad is properly reinforced before the window closes. Paying £50 million for Strand Larsen would have represented a huge outlay, so there is some relief that Forest avoided being drawn into that deal.

Mateta appears a far more natural fit for Dyche’s system, and there is hope at the City Ground that Forest can push ahead decisively and wrap up a move for the 28-year-old in the final days of the window.