Nottingham Forest have suffered a blow in quest to sign £21m star, Evangelos Marinakis will be gutted

Nottingham Forest are being linked with a number of forward players during the current transfer window.

Igor Jesus is set to be announced as a new Forest player any time now, and he will add some competition for Chris Wood.

Other players will be linked with a move to Forest this summer as Nuno Espirito Santo looks to reshuffle his pack a little bit.

Forest are looking at the Lyon player Georges Mikautadze and his arrival could prove to be a very shrewd one indeed.

However, there has been some news that might see Forest now fight a losing battle to land the Georgian international.

John Textor leaves Lyon

Not only has the controversial owner stepped down from his role at Crystal Palace, but he’s also departed Lyon, ending his involvement with the French outfit.

They’re facing relegation from the French top flight, and Textor has now decided to walk away from the project as they await the results of their appeal process.

Evangelos Marinakis is considered to be good friends with Textor, and as a result, Forest have sold Moussa Niakhate and Orel Mangala to Lyon to aid with PSR compliances in recent years.

Mikautadze looks like a good fit for Forest, but without Marinakis’ mate there, it looks as though negotiations will prove a little bit trickier.

The talented player scored 11 times and claimed six assists during the 2024/25 campaign from 34 appearances, with a host of clubs now keeping a close eye on him.

Forest should still try for Mikautadze

At 24-years-old, this could seriously be a bit of a game-changing signing if Forest can get a deal over the line.

With or without Textor, it would appear that the club will be in desperate need of funds, and that could work in Forest’s favour.

Mikautadze typically operates as a centre-forward, but he can play anywhere across the final third, and that versatility would suit Espirito Santo.

Other clubs will come forward for the Lyon player in the coming weeks and if Forest do still want to press ahead without Textor to smooth over the negotiations, then the club must do so quickly.