Callum Hudson-Odoi closing in on Nottingham Forest transfer

Forum 8 months ago

Callum Hudson-Odoi closing in on Nottingham Forest transfer

Callum Hudson-Odoi is close to joining Nottingham Forest on a permanent transfer from Chelsea, 90min understands.

Hudson-Odoi has been training with the Chelsea academy all summer as he waited for clarity on his future, with the Blues prepared to cash in after he returned from an underwhelming loan spell with Bayer Leverkusen.

Fulham were leading the race for Hudson-Odoi's signature but the two London rivals could not come to an agreement over a transfer fee, opening the door for Forest to swoop in and strike a deal.

The two clubs have already done business this summer, with midfielder Andrey Santos moving to the City Ground on loan, and Hudson-Odoi is set to join the Brazilian on a permanent basis.

For 22-year-old Hudson-Odoi, the move to Forest represents the chance to reunite with manager Steve Cooper, who gave the winger his England Under-17 debut back in 2016 and drew some excellent performances out of him at the European Championship the following year.

Forest are also back in talks with top target Ibrahima Sangare of PSV Eindhoven. The Ivory Coast international turned down an approach earlier this summer but Forest's offer has remained on the table and there is now hope he can be convinced to make the move.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have struck a £45m deal to sign Manchester City midfielder Cole Palmer, who is set to head to Stamford Bridge and provide a much-needed boost to Chelsea's homegrown coefficient.

Academy graduates Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Lewis Hall have all departed this summer and centre-back Trevoh Chalobah and midfielder Conor Gallagher continue to attract interest from elsewhere.

Bayern Munich, led by former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, have made contact over both players and are currently understood to be focusing on a move for Chalobah.

Chalobah is free to leave Chelsea for the right price this summer following the arrival of Axel Disasi from Monaco, although Gallagher appears set to stay after emerging as a key player under Mauricio Pochettino.

Left-back Ian Maatsen, who has also impressed Pochettino, has entered the final 12 months of his contract and has plenty of interest from across the Premier League.