July
31 2000
Forest
Linked To Cameron: Forest, along with several other
clubs - including Coventry City - have been linked with a possible move for
Hearts goalscoring midfielder Colin Cameron.
Platt flew to Edinburgh this weekend with assistant manager Dennis Booth to
watch the 27 year old in action in the local Derby against Hibs on Sunday.
Platt is still looking for a goalscorer from midfield after losing out to
Blackburn for the services of Craig Hignett. Platt commented:
"I can confirm my interest in Cameron. I've spoken to Jim Jefferies to see
what the situation is and I will watch him again before deciding on my next
move."
Quashie Linked to Pompey: It's rumoured
that Portsmouth have agreed an undisclosed fee with Forest for former England
Under-21 midfielder Nigel Quashie.
It was originally rumoured during the close season that Portsmouth had made
a bid of £800,000 for the midfielder, but that news died away as Quashie picked
up an injury in pre-season training.
The latest rumour to surface today though is that Portsmouth manager Tony
Pulis has agreed a fee with Forest, and a deal is set to be concluded within
the next 24 hours.
David Platt is reported to have said: "I've agreed a deal in principle with
Portsmouth. It's just a case now of completing the formalities."
Edds On The Mend: Gareth Edds is recovering
from injury and looking to be in contention for a place against West Brom
on the opening game of the season after being given the all clear to resume
training.
Edds made his full team debut at the end of last season when he played in
the final two games of the season. However, the youngster suffered a hamstring
injury during Forest's recent tour of America and missed the recent games
against Bristol and Leeds.
July
30 2000
Bruce
Wants Marlon: Huddersfield Town manager Steve Bruce
is after Marlon Harewood according to the Sunday papers today. Bruce is looking
to bolster Huddersfield's promotion chances by adding more firepower to the
squad that just missed out on a playoff place on the last day of the season.
Harewood is seen as an ideal candidate for the job, but Bruce is not impressed
with the price of £2 million that Forest are reportedly asking for him.
July
25 2000
Baggies
Deny Quashie Link: West Brom manager Gary Megson has
denied Nigel Quashie is a transfer target. The midfielder is currently on
the transfer list and it has again emerged in the media that the Baggies are
keen to try and snap him up.
However, Gary Megson has today gone on record saying: "There's absolutely
nothing in it. I know Forest are looking to offload him but we're not interested
and that is the end of the story."
July
24 2000
Vaughan
Given Green Light: Defender Tony Vaughan has been
given the go-ahead to increase his pre-season training following a month of
hard rehabilitation.
Vaughan travelled to America for the club's pre-season tour and although he
wasn't able to take a part in any of the games, he was put through a hard
fitness program by the club physio George Cooper.
It is still unlikely that Vaughan will be involved in the first games of the
season, but provided he doesn't suffer any setbacks along the way, he's likely
to be ready for a return towards the end of August.
Baggies
Want Quashie: West Brom have become the latest club
take an interest in out of favour Nigel Quashie. Gary Megson is reported in
several papers today as interested in the midfielder.
July
23 2000
Forest
Target Stays Put: Forest target, Jesper Christiansen,
is staying put at Danish side OB after their number one goalkeeper Lars Hoegh
retired. Several clubs, including Forest have been linked with the keeper
but the young Dane wants to stay and play with OB. He said: "I would rather
be on the bench in OB than face an uncertain future in Nottingham."
July
18 2000
Woan
May Miss Out: Ian Woan
looks set to miss out on a possible move to Bolton Wanderers after he 'starred'
in their 6-1 demolition by Odense in the pre-season.
Woan is currently looking for a new home now his contract at The City Ground
has finished and Bolton were keen to take a look at what he had to offer.
To this end he joined Wanderers on their pre-season tour of Denmark, but ended
up being involved in the heavy defeat. After this disaster Bolton look to
have had a change of heart regarding a deal for Woan.
Sam Allarcdyce, the Bolton manager commented: "It was embarrassing. They didn't
show any spirit or drive. They were complaining after the Lyngby game of feeling
heavy-legged by the training regime and maybe that was a reasonable excuse.
Then, I spoke to them before Odense and they seemed a lot brighter.
"So, there was no excuse for this performance. It was nothing to do with tiredness.
It was all down to attitude and bottle."
July
17 2000
Saudi
Deal Close To Collapse:
The deal with Saudi club Al-Hilal to bring Saudi Arabian striker Sami Al-Jaber
to the City Ground looks to be in jeopardy today.
Club officials at Forest thought a deal had been set up to bring the player
to the City Ground and he was expected to join up with the rest of the team
on their US tour. However, the Saudi club has now demanded more money for
the 27 year old than was first agreed and Forest are understood to have replied
by telling them to take the offer that's on the table or leave it.
July
15 2000
Duo
Injured On Tour: Chris
Bart-Williams and Bernard Allou have both picked up injuries on Forest's tour
of the USA. Bart-Williams has picked up a toe injury and Allou has picked
up an Achilles tendon injury. Neither injury is considered serious and both
should be available for the start of the season, however, they are unlikely
to take any further part in the remaining games in the USA.
July
14 2000
Roberts
Still A Target: Bristol
Rovers striker Jason Roberts is still a target for Forest, but David Platt
now faces a battle with Birmingham City to land the 22 year old.
Roberts has already told Rovers that he is looking for a fresh challenge and
he intends to quit the Memorial Ground. This has alerted several first division
managers with Forest and Birmingham the favourites at the moment.
Birmingham were reported to have made a £2 million pound bid for the
star, but this was exaggerated by the press and Rovers vice-chairman, Geoff
Dunford, has denied the reports, saying: "Birmingham offered £1.6 million
and a few bits and pieces on goals scored. That was not acceptable.
"There is no question of him going out of the door straight away because we
would need to receive a bid that is satisfactory.
"I have no worries about his commitment to the club. He is working hard in
training and I know he will continue to give his best for us."
July
12 2000
Jones
To Make Debut: Forest's
latest signing, Gary Jones, is expected to make his debut tonight against
Miami Fusion in Florida.
July
11 2000
Platt
To Play: It is strongly
rumoured that David Platt will be playing some part in tomorrow's game against
Miami Fusion at the Lockhart Stadium in Florida.
July
7 2000
Woan
Wanted: Ian Woan has
been told by Bolton manager Sam Allardyce that there is a place for him at
Bolton provided the club can agree terms with the 32 year old left-footed
winger.
Louis-Jean
Interests Owls: Sheffield
Wednesday are taking an interest in Forest's out of favour defender Matthieu
Louis-Jean. The Frenchman is growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of
first-team opportunities at the City Ground, and new Owls boss Paul Jewell
is keen to strengthen his defence.
July
6 2000
Al-Jaber
Deal Nearer: Although
Forest are still seeking to take the 27-year-old striker on trial initially,
they have made an offer to his club Al-Hilal that would see him join them
on either a permanent basis or a loan for the season. Club officials are aiming
to reach an agreement in time for Al-Jaber to join up with the first team
squad in the United States next week.
Any permanent deal would involve an initial downpayment and then further payments
based on appearances and goalscoring success. But as Forest’s Chief Executive
Mark Arthur explained: “The possibility of obtaining Sami Al-Jaber on either
a permanent basis or a loan transfer for the season is dependant on him joining
us for a trial period.”
“It is important that David Platt gets the opportunity to see whether Sami
is suited to our style of football and can settle with us.
“If this proves to be a satisfactory arrangement for Al-Hilal, then we would
hope that Sami would join up with us in the United States on Monday.”
July
4 2000
Forest
Face FA Rap: It looks
extremely likely that Forest will face the full wrath of the FA over their
disciplinary record last season. The club have been ordered to appear before
the FA to explain a record that included 10 Forest players being sent off.
And the club could face FA action after a warning about their disciplinary
record the previous season.
A spokesperson for the FA commented: "Nottingham Forest have already received
a warning over their disciplinary record. They were warned to improve their
behaviour or face action.
"Last season has been even worse, so it looks likely that action will be taken."
Woan
Training With Bolton: Forest
midfielder Ian Woan is reported to be training with Bolton Wanderers in a
bid to kick start his career at the Reebok Stadium. Woan turned down Forest's
offer of a new 12 month contract at the end of last season and is training
with Wanderers with a view to a permanent move. The 32 year old has been plagued
by injuries in recent seasons and only made 10 first team appearances last
season - nine of them as a substitute.
Forest boss David Platt offered him a new deal but on vastly reduced terms
with a view to deploying Woan as a squad player. Woan rejected the deal and
has chosen to look for a new start elsewhere.
July
3 2000
Pompey
Lead Quashie Race: Portsmouth
now find themselves leading the hunt for midfielder Nigel Quashie after Birmingham
City dropped out of the race for his signature.
Trevor Francis confirmed last week that David Platt had approached him with
a view to signing the Blues transfer listed forward Peter Ndlovu in a swap
deal with the former England Under-21 midfielder. And despite Platt seeming
confident that a deal could be done, Francis was not keen on the players he
was offered in return and the deal now appears to be a non starter.
At the same time though, Portsmouth have stepped up their interest in the
unwanted Quashie and are reported to have tabled an £800,000 bid for the player
who cost £2.5 million from Queens Park Rangers two years ago. Pompey admitted
last week that Quashie was one of the players they were considering making
a move for, and now it seems that concerted efforts from their manager Tony
Pulis could eventually land them the man.
July
1 2000
Bart-Williams
Off To Italy: There
has been much press speculation today regarding the possible departure of
Chris Bart-Williams.
Newspapers reported this morning that three Italian clubs, Sampdoria, Torino
and Atalanta, are all interested in signing the midfielder. Atalanta have
already decided to table a £2 million bid for the former England Under 21
international.
But according to the press Sampdoria and Torino will fight them all the way
after enquiring about Bart-Williams 'availability'.
The Italian trio are all convinced that his silky skills and laid back style
would go down a treat in Serie A. But Forest are demanding a £3 million fee
for the former Leyton Orient ace who cost them £2.5 million from Wednesday
five years ago.
Bart-Williams is understood to be seeking talks with David Platt in a bid
to hit a compromise deal. And former England skipper Platt is certain to be
sympathetic to Bart-Williams desire to broaden his soccer education abroad.
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