EXCLUSIVE: Nottingham Forest plot Arsenal raid after Edu recommendation

Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Arsenal midfielder Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand following a personal recommendation from former Gunners sporting director Edu.

FootballTransfers has been informed that Nuno Espirito Santo’s surprise Premier League title challengers are eager to move for the Netherlands U17 international, who has yet to feature for Arsenal’s first team.

The 21-year-old Dutchman’s contract with the Gunners is set to expire in the summer, and while the Emirates side want to extend his deal, Forest’s interest could sway the player toward a move.

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This is particularly the case given that Arsenal’s midfield is looking overloaded, with Martin Zubimendi close to securing a summer transfer from Real Sociedad.

Forest are actively seeking to strengthen their midfield over the next two transfer windows, and Oulad M’Hand is one of their key targets.

Where the situation gets interesting is the involvement of the player’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, owner of Sports Invest UK Ltd.

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Joorabchian is a close associate of Edu Gaspar, Arsenal’s former technical director, who will soon be collaborating with Nottingham Forest.

FootballTransfers has been informed that the Brazilian has personally recommended Oulad M’Hand to Forest.

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Forest, meanwhile, be seeking to explore the South American market for up-and-coming talent, with Edu having major connections in that part of the world.

Arsenal have enjoyed significant success with a string of players from that region having arrived during the former sporting director’s time with the club. Gabriel Martinelli, for example, joined from the Brazilian second tier while Gabriel and Gabriel Jesus have both played a major role for the club in recent times.

High-flying Forest will be targeting similar signings once Edu formally steps into his role, but his recommendation to sign Oulad M’Hand shows that his influence is already being felt at the City Ground.