nottingham forest The team is in desperate need of a new talisman before the January transfer window closes, with the current first-team squad falling far short of the goals they need in 2025/26.

The Reds are currently just one place above the relegation zone, five points ahead of West Ham, but a lack of goals has seen them struggle in the league. Premier League.

Sean DycheThe team has scored just 23 goals in its first 23 league games, with only bottom-placed Wolves scoring fewer so far.

Morgan Gibbs-White is the only player to score more than three goals in the league this season, and no center has scored more than two so far this season.

As a result, Lorenzo Luca has temporarily moved from Napoli to the City Stadium, but that hasn’t stopped other attacking talents being linked with a move ahead of the deadline.

Nottingham Forest want former Premier League talisman this month

These two days, the forest A bid of £35m was submitted Landing at Crystal Palace Stars Jean-Philippe Matata – The deal will be controversial given the rivalry between the two clubs.

The Frenchman is one of the most popular forwards in the league this month, with the likes of Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur also keen on a move for the 28-year-old.

Despite interest from elsewhere, the Eagles star has agreed personal terms with Dyche’s men but the deal will only be completed if the £40m price tag is met.

However, he’s not the only talisman in their sights at the moment, with the Fenerbahce star John Duran Another option Hierarchy is currently considering.

According to “Sports News”, Reds keen on transfer The former Aston Villa star joined Al Nasr a year ago for a staggering £64 million.

Reports suggest that while he is on loan in Türkiye, his current contract may be terminated, which could pave the way for the Colombian international to return to the Premier League.

However, the Reds are not the only ones pursuing the 22-year-old, with the likes of Everton, Bournemouth and West Ham United currently targeting his signature.

Why Duran is a better fit for Forest than Mateta

Forest’s pursuit of Mateta has undoubtedly been given a boost in recent days with Oliver Glasner’s side bringing in Jurgen Strand-Larssen from Wolves.

The Norwegian has also come to the attention of the Reds this month and has become the target of a £45m + £5m offer from the Eagles, which could open the door for the Frenchman to leave.

Such a transfer would be a club record for Crystal Palace, with Forest arguably the beneficiary of the move, while Matata could be free to complete a move to the City Ground.

A deal for the Eagles star would give Dyche the Premier League options he craves, with the 28-year-old having scored 22 league goals in the past 18 months alone.

However, management should abandon a move for the Frenchman, especially if a deal can be struck for former Villa talisman Duran before the transfer window closes.

His £66m transfer fee last summer showed the talent he possesses in the final third and his underlying statistics last season showed why he would be better than the Palace player.

Duran, known as the “monster” Talent Scout Jacek KuligIn the 2024/25 season, he achieved a better time-per-goal ratio, as well as a higher shot-on-shot ratio.

The numbers showcase his incredible ability in front of goal and his clinical nature certainly put an end to Forest’s struggles in the final third.

He also recorded a higher number of shots on target per 90, while also registering a higher goal-per-90 record – reaffirming his clinical superiority over Matata in the Premier League.

The Colombian’s dominance over the Frenchman was further reflected by the fact that he won more aerial duels per 90, while also having more touches in the opposition penalty area per 90.

The above figures fit perfectly with Dyche’s current long-ball philosophy, which requires his centre-forwards to dominate in the air while also being in the right place at the right time.

It is unclear whether Duran would like to return to the Premier League, but the move will undoubtedly improve the East Midlands manager options.

Mateta would also be an excellent option, but based on the above figures, it’s clear that the former Villa man would be a better addition in the January transfer window.

However, with the window closing in days, management must work quickly to avoid missing out on a new talisman to help secure their Premier League status.

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