Nottingham Forest 'interested' in £25m-rated defender as key transfer decisions loom

Nottingham Forest are said to be eyeing up Brighton and Hove Albion defender Pervis Estupinan ahead of the January transfer window.

The Reds are well aware of the importance of getting their business right next month. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are third in the Premier League table and a push for European football is firmly on the cards.

Thanks to some excellent signings made in the summer, Forest’s squad does not require too much work in January. The club will be conscious of the risk of disrupting strong foundations already in place by making too many changes.

According to Bolavip, the Reds are keen on Seagulls left-back Estupinan as they look ahead to 2025. The 26-year-old has made 17 appearances for Brighton so far this season but it is said he could be on the move next year.

The Ecuador international is under contract until 2027 and is valued at €30 million (£25m) by Transfermarkt. Bolavip suggest that a switch to the City Ground would represent “one of the biggest leaps” in his career due to the Reds' history and where they sit in the standings.

Neco Williams is currently in possession of the left-back spot for Forest, keeping Aston Villa loanee Alex Moreno out of the XI with some excellent performances. The Welshman was superb again as Nuno’s men beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Boxing Day.

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Moreno is spending the campaign on loan Trentside but the Reds do hold an option to make his move permanent. It means further down the line, the left-back spot is an area Forest will need to make a decision on.

Harry Toffolo is part of the squad but will be out of contract in the summer and it would be no surprise if he moves on. Ola Aina can also play on the left and is due to see his deal expire at the end of the season, although the club are keen to tie him down to fresh terms.

Additionally, Forest still have Omar Richards on the books. The former Bayern Munich man is out on loan at Rio Ave as he attempts to put an injury-hit two years behind him.

Estupinan joined Brighton from Villarreal in 2022. He came up through the ranks at LDU Quito in his homeland and has also played for Watford, Granada, Almeria, Mallorca and Osasuna.

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