Mainz director of football Christian Heidel has admitted they are planning for life without Moussa Niakhate amid interest from Nottingham Forest.
We covered a report from L’Equipe yesterday that the newly-promoted Premier League side were keen on the centre-back, with it stated he is ‘currently discussing’ a deal to join Steve Cooper’s side.
That report made it clear that the Frenchman is keen on a move away from the German side as he is ready to make a step up four years after joining.
A move to the Premier League would represent that, and Nottingham Forest have made their move as they look to bolster their squad ahead of their first season back in the top flight.
They’ll have to strike a deal with Mainz first, but BILD carry comments from Heidel today that hint it might not be too difficult.
He told them that the German side ‘are planning for Moussa to leave’ this summer, the first time he has openly done so despite the issue being discussed behind closed doors for a while.
The newspaper makes no mention of Nottingham Forest but do say that the defender is the type of player ‘half the world is looking for’.
They also add that only when the player and his advisors have come to an agreement with another club will Heidel and Mainz get involved, at which point it will be a question of the transfer fee.
That ties in neatly with what L’Equipe were reporting as they claimed Niakhate was in talks with Nottingham Forest about a move.
It seems the plan is for him to strike an agreement with interested parties, and then they’ll make contact with Mainz, at which point they’ll find Heidel and co more than welcoming.
