Despite four goals in Thursday night’s Europa League defeat to Ferencvaros, nottingham forest There’s still a huge problem facing Target Premier League.

The Reds have scored just 23 goals in their first 23 games of the 2025/26 season, second only to bottom side Wolves so far.

Sean Dyche Morgan Gibbs-White was the club’s top scorer with five goals but was unable to get the best out of the attacking options at his disposal.

No center forward has scored more than two league goals so far this season, further confirming the woes in the attacking department.

However, amid recent attempts to strengthen the senior ranks, the hierarchy appear to be supportive of the manager’s quest to ensure survival at the City Ground.

Forest now aim to make Premier League sensation

Over the past few days, Forest One of the clubs interested in the transfer Landing in the Crystal Palace Amulet Jean-Philippe Matata before Monday’s deadline.

The Reds even made a £35m bid for the Frenchman’s signature at one point, but that offer was £5m less than the Eagles’ asking price this month.

As a result, they now have a head start in the race for the centre-forward, with Serie A side AC Milan seemingly leading the race for him.

Mateta isn’t the only Premier League option Dyche is currently eyeing, with the manager hoping to reunite with him Dwight McNeil at City Stadium.

According to Sky Sports, The Red Army was keen on late-stage operations The 26-year-old has previously played under the manager at Burnley and now Everton.

The news outlet has confirmed Dyche wants to link up with the left-winger for a third time, but completing a deal before Monday’s transfer deadline could be tricky.

David Moyes’ side will reportedly consider a permanent move only if a replacement is found, with the Englishman currently filling in for the injured Jack Grealish.

Why McNeil is the perfect choice for Forest’s Luka

As mentioned earlier, Forest have struggled to improve their quality in attack this season, which has led to the addition of forward Lorenzo Luka from Napoli in the winter.

The Italian arrived at the City Stadium last week on loan until the end of the season, with the Reds having the option of converting the deal into a permanent deal in the summer.

However, doubts have been raised over his lack of goals in 2025/26, with the 25-year-old scoring just twice in all competitions for Antonio Conte’s side before moving to the East Midlands.

Luka has previously been a clinical option in the final third, as evidenced by his 14 goals for Udinese last season – which undoubtedly led to his move to Napoli.

For Dyche, the 6-foot-7 center was the obvious choice to dominate the air, but as a result, he often relied on the quality of his passes.

Factors like this would certainly explain why a move may be brewing for McNeil, with his underlying Premier League numbers this season highlighting his quality.

The Everton star is known as “amazingSimon Stone has created 1.2 chances per 90 this season, of which 0.3 are defined as great chances.

The above numbers point to his ability to excel in the final third, which could end the Reds’ recent dismal run of form in front of goal.

He has also completed 25% of his cross attempts this season, and he subsequently ranks in the top 20% of all players in England’s top flight for the 2025/26 season.

Figures like these will undoubtedly help Luka in his quest for success at the City Ground and it’s the kind of delivery the Italian is capable of delivering if he can replicate it in any move.

McNeil also completed 50% of the dribbles he attempted while completing 82% of the passes he attempted – again demonstrating his all-round ability in the final third.

It’s unclear how much the deal will cost ahead of Monday’s deadline, but it could be a shrewd addition given his previous experience of playing under Dyche.

Considering he has only contributed one goal this season, many fans will no doubt be against such a move, but it would certainly give the team an additional Premier League-proven option.

It would be a great signing if he can provide supplies for Luka in the East Midlands, with the pair able to help the club escape the looming threat of relegation.

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