Forest join chase for Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard
STEVE McClaren has put Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard at the top of his Nottingham Forest shopping list.
The new Reds boss wants the highly-rated front-man to bolster his City Ground front-line and the club are ready to pay up to £4m to land their man.
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Nicky Maynard
But they will face fierce competition from Championship rivals Leicester City, West Ham and Southampton.
The 24-year-old is entering into the final year of his contract at Ashton Gate – and has rejected several offers of a new, improved deal.
City do not want to lose a player who has scored 37 league goals in 85 starts and 12 substitute appearances since signing from Crewe Alexandra for £2.25m in July 2008.
But they may be tempted to cash in on the player now, rather than lose him for nothing in a year.
Forest would have to make Maynard their highest paid player if they are to persuade him to move to the City Ground, with the player already earning in excess of £12k a week with the Robins.
But, with high earner Robert Earnshaw likely to follow Nathan Tyson out of the exit at Forest with his contract set to expire, the club have freed up some room to manoeuvre within their wage budget.
And, with McClaren on board, they hope to be able to convince Maynard of their Premier League aspirations.
Forest will back McClaren in the transfer market this summer, with a winger and a left-back also high on his list of targets.
Although, with Leicester and West Ham in particular also harbouring serious promotion ambitions, Forest are likely to face a significant fight for Maynard's signature.
Maynard may also choose to take the same path as previous Reds target Darren Pratley who, rather than accept Forest's advances, chose to allow his Swansea contract to expire before becoming a free agent this summer.
Pratley is expected to officially join Bolton on a free transfer in the next few days.
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by Pete5125
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 11:08AM
“We reaaly should forget spending £4m on one player, i for one would like to see that spent on 4 cheaper players even if they come from lower divisions. we can not really afford this transfer and the wages it entails. Lets get real and tell those in charge to bring in better cheaper players. we aint no MU or Chelsea or the like. Live within our means and if we can not afford to buy to go up so be it. we do not want to waste money buying anymore expensive flops.”
by REDKELLY
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 8:47AM
“joker ! where in my post dos'e it say "DONT BUY A SEASON TICKET " ?
all im sayin is dont be fooled by the sales banter of arthur !
look as much as id love maynard , bertie and more so shorey it aint gunna happen and isnt even on the cards !
i was one of those who felt sick to the stomach last season when after all the rumours and PR bull was thrown around nothing happened ! we was never in for the prattley's and whittingham's but it was made to look like we was to keep the fans happy long enough to buy tickets , err oh wait something did happen ! arthur said if we didnt shut up mr d would take his money and leave ! " what a nice man "
personly ive had enough , enough being conned , not conned into buyin a ticket but conned into thinkin that my beloved forest is in good hands , well ! its not !
ALL IM SAYIN IS DONT BELIEVE THE BS THIS TIME AROUND !
if someone tryin to conn you dosnt bother you then fine , but im nobody's fool and dont like someone p*ssin down my back and tellin me its raining ,
please dont get it twisted ! the boys on the pitch are a different story and will always have my full support !”
by L_Mac
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 2:31AM
“chris20112....sounds like sour grapes to me! and a hint of jealousy....”
by taylos409
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 12:18AM
“Chris - dream on lad!”
by chris20112
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 12:00AM
“You haven't got £4 million to spend on one player!! And even if you did it would be stupid given everywhere else you need to strengthen. Besides, Maynard will go to the Prem anyway if he leaves Bristol. He's class. Once again, lots of talk but no signings!!! Think we've made 6 signings now??
I'm disappointed you didn't back Billy, really wish Doughty had given him another £10m to spend, you still would have messed up!! Don't know how it will work with McLaren. Fantastic coach, Derby were in the top 6 of the prem playing fantastic football when he left for United. Not sure about him as a manager, spent lots at Boro for his reasonable success and he'll have to work with a budget at Forest what with your 19,000 gates with Kids for a Quid!!
Just remember...last season is gone now, no double over us, no 5-2, it's in the past (think everyone's forgotten our great FA Cup comeback, and convincing 3-1 league win at the City Ground and it wasn't that long ago). We've had to do sensible things like reduce the debt, reduce the wage bill (highest in the Championship and in bottom 3 when Clough took over) and sort out the mess the of the Jewell and Davies reigns. I think you can safely say with our transfer activity we're serious about competing now, we will have a squad with enough depth to maintain last year's early season play off form. The normal order of East Midlands football will be restored. Roll on September 17th!!
Put the champagne on ice...we're gonna beat Forest Twice!!”
by sockboy71
Tuesday, June 21 2011, 8:58PM
“maynard was injured for most of the season,plus missed 3 games for sending off,great striker though would love to see him at forest,come on forest”
by doodoo2011
Tuesday, June 21 2011, 8:12PM
“"its not gunna happen but 4 mil on ANOTHER striker when we are missing so much depth else where would be madness !"
Madness you say? Hmmmm, I prefer to see this move more in the style of The Boomtown Rats. It conjures up better imagery.
Must'nt......have......my own.......opinion...........must.......be forced......to think like........others.”
by PositivePaul
Tuesday, June 21 2011, 8:06PM
“Redkelly
You just don't get it do you mate. I don,t give a flying duck who we may or may not be signing. I am fortunate enough to be able to afford a season ticket. I support Forest so I am going to buy a season ticket. It gets me entrance to home matches at a discounted rate. I will not be swayed by who we buy or who manages the club, I support the club and so do you. What Mark Arthur does or does not do will not influence my decision, unless he puts the prices up too much that is. Support the club, not individuals within it, thick or thin, win or lose be a Forest fan. You know it makes sense.
We all agree that Nottingham Forest are magic, are magic, are magic!!!”
by NottmNoiNoi
Tuesday, June 21 2011, 7:37PM
“Nice to see Evening Pooossst has answered, which player do Bristol City want? Nicky Maynard looks a great player but what happened last season cant remember him scoring much or was he out injured?”
by REDKELLY
Tuesday, June 21 2011, 7:37PM
“YOU SEE THIS IS THE THE PR STUFF THAT WAS PUT OUT LAST SEASON AT SEASON TICKET TIME !
remember prattley and whittingham ?
look this is something that MA is very good at ! its a shame he's not much good at anything else !
FELLOW REDS DONT FALL FOR IT ! dont line yourselves up for the same sinking disapointment you felt last season when it finaly hit you that no one was commin in !
its not gunna happen but 4 mil on ANOTHER striker when we are missing so much depth else where would be madness !
with a new manager just comming in i expect some new faces in but if you think mark arthur will ok a 4 mil fee for anyone then your a fool !”