NOTTINGHAM FOREST WARNED STRIKER ‘NOT FOR SALE’ AS £13M TALKS BEGIN

Nottingham Forest have been warned off a move for Rosario Central striker Alejo Veliz despite reports suggesting that talks are underway regarding a potential £13 million move to the Premier League outfit. 

With all due respect to Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood, if a lack of goals is your problem, then it’s hard to imagine that Nottingham Forest’s two big-money summer signings are the answer

Wood scored only once in seven games after joining Forest initially on loan in January. That’s six in his last 46 top-flight games now. Elanga, meanwhile, arrives amid big promise and boasting substantial potential, but remains an unproven prospect at this level.

Then again, you could say the same of Alejo Veliz; a 19-year-old centre-forward who burst onto the scene with 11 goals in 23 games for Rosario Central last term.

What Veliz lacks in experience, however, he makes up for in raw, unfiltered ability. There is a reason why AC Milan – who’s gold-panning, diamond-in-the-rough approach to the transfer market brought an end to their Scudetto drought in 2022 – are so keen on the teenager, with the uber-reliable Gianluca Di Marzio reporting that Nottingham Forest are another who have initiated contact with Veliz’s camp.

Nottingham Forest face Milan battle for striker

But, as president Gonzalez Luiz Belloso is at pains to point out, Rosario are under no immediate pressure to cash in on their prized asset. At least, not after selling fellow youngster Gino Infantino to Fiorentina.

“Gino’s transfer to Fiorentina gives us some fresh air. It improves our economic situation, and fills our coffers until next year,” Belloso tells Calciomercato.

“And that is why, now, our intention is to have Alejo Veliz stay here with us at the Gigante de Arroyito until December. He is not currently for sale.”

Actions speak louder than words, however. And Belloso’s stance will certainly be tested if Nottingham Forest are willing to stump up the £13 million required for the Argentina U20 international.

Could Forest agree to loan Veliz back to Rosario Central until the New Year, in an attempt to swoop in under AC Milan’s nose?