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Nottingham Forest’s Cheikhou Kouyate battles with Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke
Anderlecht were keen on midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate before his move to Nottingham Forest, it has been claimed.
The 32-year-old was one of 21 new players brought in by the Reds during a busy summer transfer window as boss Steve Cooper overhauled his squad. Joining as a free agent, he put pen to paper on a two-year deal last month.
Kouyate had left Crystal Palace when his contract expired at the end of last season. But it seems Forest were not the only club interested in securing his signature.
Rams rivalry
Former Derby County striker Malcolm Christie has revealed how two nights out in Nottingham ended in disaster.
The 43-year-old told the stories of both nights, which lasted a combined 45 minutes before he was recognised by Forest fans. Christie, who played for Derby in the Premier League at the time, admitted it probably wasn’t the best idea to go into Nottingham at the time.
He has not been on a night out in Nottingham since, he says, and told the full story on the latest episode of the Undr the Cosh podcast.
“I had two nights out in Nottingham and lasted the grand total of about 45 minutes,” he said. “Me and my mate went out and I kind of knew that it probably wasn’t a great idea as a Derby County forward in the Premier League.
Bright prospect
Being around Nottingham Forest’s first-team squad is proving invaluable for teenager Aaron Donnelly as he aims to continue his development.
The 19-year-old was singled out for praise by boss Steve Cooper last month after making his Reds debut in the Carabao Cup. He did not look out of place as he played the full 90 minutes of the 3-0 victory over Grimsby Town – a run-out which has made him hungry for more.
Donnelly regularly trains with the senior side and travelled to Spain with them for a pre-season camp. Getting to pit himself against the likes of Jesse Lingard, Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White on a frequent basis provides a good test, while the youngster has also been keen to soak up the knowledge of the defenders in the group.
“Every day you’re learning, and to play against those guys and that quality of player in training is a real privilege and a great experience,” he told BelfastLive.
Lodi’s move
La Liga expert Terry Gibson was “baffled” by Renan Lodi’s decision to sign for Nottingham Forest over the summer.
The left-back joined the Reds on loan from Atletico Madrid last month and made his debut in the 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Man City at the City Ground.
Lodi looked “bewildered” when watching the defeat to Tottenham at the City Ground on August 28, Gibson told La Liga Weekly, before being thrown in for his debut against Man City last Wednesday. With game time on the cards for Lodi at Atletico, Gibson was “baffled” and “surprised” he chose Forest.
“I saw footage of him on Sunday watching his first game from the stands, he looked bewildered. And on the Wednesday, he’s thrown in against Man City away. He won’t have even known the names of half the players he’s playing with in the game,” said Gibson.
