Nottingham Forest looking to sign Mainz 05 defender Moussa Niakhate?

Nottingham Forest have reportedly made an approach for Mainz 05 defender Moussa Niakhate.

On Thursday morning, Forest discovered that their first fixture back in the Premier League would be a trip to Newcastle United, that match being played on August 6.

However, before Forest line up at St James' Park, head coach Steve Cooper faces the challenge of signing multiple players to strengthen his first-team squad.

According to The Athletic, Niakhate is very much on Cooper's radar as he bids to find a replacement for Tobias Figueiredo.

The 26-year-old was a regular in the Bundesliga last season, making a total of 29 starts and one substitute outing as his club finished in eighth position.

© Reuters

Niakhate also chipped in with his fair share of goals, his fourth and final effort of the season coming in a 3-1 victory over Bayern Munich on April 30.

The report suggests that Mainz may be willing to cash in on one of their key players, a result of the Frenchman's contract being due to expire in 2023.

Niakhate spent much of last season on the left-hand side of a back three, a role which was occupied by Scott McKenna during Forest's promotion-winning campaign from the Championship.

The East Midlands giants are eager to bring in a number of fresh faces this summer, including between the sticks where it appears that a replacement will be found for Brice Samba.

© Reuters

Having failed to agree fresh terms with Forest, the first-choice goalkeeper is expected to depart the City Ground, potentially to a Ligue 1 club.

Although Forest have also been linked with Burnley stopper Nick Pope, it has been claimed that Dean Henderson is likely to sign from Manchester United.

The England international has failed to dislodge David de Gea and will be allowed to find first-team football elsewhere as Erik ten Hag makes changes to his squad.

Forest are allegedly in talks to sign Henderson on a season-long loan deal with the option of signing the 25-year-old for a fee in the region of £20m.

Cooper is also being tipped to try to secure the services of United midfielder James Garner for a second successive season, but the England Under-21 international wants to try to impress Ten Hag at Old Trafford.