Nottingham Forest have signed Gambia’s international winger Mustapha Carayol from Middlesbrough and striker Nicolao Dumitru on loan from Napoli.
The Reds still hope to make one, if not two, further additions to their squad, before yesterday’s (Wedesday) transfer deadline.
They were among a clutch of clubs trailing former Manchester United and West Ham man Ravel Morrison. Forest also have an interest in West Brom’s Callum McManaman, but could get priced out of a move for him, with the likes of big spending Newcastle understood to be interested, among other clubs.
But the Reds have tonight added Carayol on a two-year contract from newly promoted Middlesbrough, while much travelled Swedish born former Italian under-20 international Dumitru has joined for the rest of the season.
Carayol, 27, has won three international caps with Gambia, and had loan spells at Leeds and Huddersfield last season.
His career began with MK Dons, before spells with Crawley, Torquay, Kettering, Lincoln and Bristol Rovers, before signing for Middlesbrough in August 2012. He has made 162 starts during his career in all competitions, along with 85 sub appearances, scoring 35 goals in the process.
Dumitru is equally well travelled. After joining Napoli from Empoli, the 24-year-old later returned to Empoli on loan, before further loan spells at Termana, Cittadella, Reggina, Viera and Latina.
Dumitru was born in Sweden, to a Romanian father and a Brazilian mother, before moving to Italy as a child. He has represented Italy at under-19 and under-20 level.
He has made 143 professional appearances for his clubs, scoring 21 goals in the process. Last season, during a loan spell with Latina in the Italian second tier, he scored seven goals in 34 appearances, in what was his most prolific campaign.
Forest are also still exploring their options when it comes to adding another forward player and another wide man, before tomorrow’s 11pm deadline and expect to do at least one further deal.
With £13m available following the decision to sell Oliver Burke to German club RB Leipzig, Forest are expected to invest some money on their next addition or additions, having done frugal business so far.
And they could yet return to do more business with Middlesbrough, with both Jordan Rhodes and David Nugent understood to be high on their list of potential targets.
Forest would face significant competition for both players, but particularly Rhodes, who is also attracting interest from Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves.
The Reds were also pondering a surprise move for Nicklas Bendtner, the Danish international striker.
The 28-year-old is currently a free agent after having his contract paid up by Wolfsburg towards the end of last season.
After coming through the ranks at Arsenal, Bendtner had loan spells at Birmingham, Sunderland and Juventus, before joining the German club in 2014.
The striker has scored 29 goals during his 72 caps for his country, but has failed to live up to his early potential in his club career.
Forest may yet persuade him to take on another fresh start at the City Ground.
Source: Nottingham Post