Forest step-up race to sign duo
NOTTINGHAM Forest are to take the first steps to signing Birmingham winger Gary McSheffrey – and have also upped their bid for Doncaster's Matt Mills to £2m.
With Sheffield United and Coventry also showing an interest in McSheffrey, Forest are set to test the waters with an offer, believed to be in the region of £1.5m, for the 26-year-old.
Birmingham – who are also reportedly keeping an eye on defender Mills, having had a bid rejected for him in January – are willing to allow McSheffrey to move on, after seeing the player struggle with a knee injury last season.
But, in a potential twist, they are also keen on using him as a make-weight as they target Coventry's Scott Dann.
It is understood that Birmingham have already offered a seven-figure sum, along with McSheffrey – who enjoyed the most successful spell of his career with the Sky Blues – for the defender.
And Birmingham may be prepared to stretch their offer further, as they prepare for a return to the Premiership. But Forest boss Billy Davies is a big fan of McSheffrey, who he believes could be an integral figure once fully fit.
McSheffrey's loan spell at the City Ground was a disappointment but only because the player never gained full fitness. And, with Sheffield United also keen on the former £4m capture, Forest are preparing to make Birmingham an offer.
The Reds have also increased their offer for Mills, after seeing an initial bid rejected by Doncaster with the club prepared to up the ante in a bid to land the 22-year-old.
Doncaster are thought to value the former Southampton and Manchester City man at closer to £2.5m, but may be willing to accept a compromise figure, with the player himself believed to be keen on a move to the City Ground.
Forest have already bid £600,000 for Preston captain Paul McKenna and £1m for Southampton's David McGoldrick and are also in talks with QPR over striker Dexter Blackstock.
But so far, striker Dele Adebola is the only summer signing, with his free-transfer move from Bristol City set to be officially confirmed when his contract expires.
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by mark, kegworth
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 5:39PM
“So, Doncaster's chairman sounded a bit cocky..."He stands more of a chance of promotion with us than with Forest" ... I understand him wanting to keep hold of Mills, but who's he trying to kid?”
by mikeyboy, nottingham
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 5:20PM
“it would be great to get mcsheffery if he can stay injury free he is pure quality though i think coventry will land him , credit where its due ND is looking like spendin some serious doe here and if we land mcsheffery ,blackstock,mcgoldrick,mckenna gunnter mills and camp we are gunna be very hard to beat ! what a line up it would be adebola tyson earnshaw already here fingers crossed it happens cause that would be the best forest team since the 80s easy and if ND and BD can pull it off they should get all the credit they deserve hats off to you both”
by Kokopelli, Where I want to be..
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 12:29AM
“I rarely post on this site but it makes me laugh that the only name Direby fans can come up with for the best team in the Midlands is 'FLORIST'. What is that supposed to mean exactly? Is that the best the sheep can come up with? At least there is an element of wit in the aptly named 'Dire-by' as the word dire can be associated with dreadful, awful, horrific, horrendous, desperate, all of which sum up DCFC so accurately and they will be in League 1 at the start of the 2010 season.”
by The future is black & white, Cloud 9
Tuesday, June 09 2009, 9:53PM
“Hurry up and sign that useless donkey McGoldrick, you red necks - and don't forget to send a quarter of the dosh across the Trent!!! (Not that we need it)”
by Big Vern, The Medz
Tuesday, June 09 2009, 8:31PM
“yo lesta rentagob there musta bin 40 of ya to sort a Reddog out. Pop in the Medz for a sing song and a knees up when you come to the City Ground. Thats if yer mam lets ya.”