Anderlecht chief Jesper Fredberg has revealed that Nottingham Forest ‘suddenly blocked’ a move for Harry Toffolo late in the January transfer window.
Toffolo had been linked with a move away from Forest towards the end of last month after finding himself out of the picture this season.
He had been very much a number two to summer signing Renan Lodi, who has managed to establish himself as first-choice under Steve Cooper since arriving from Atletico Madrid.
That’s left Toffolo on the sidelines, featuring 10 times in the Premier League so far but in just 34% of the possible minutes.
He was subsequently linked with a move to Anderlecht, with a report on the 28th explaining that he was at the top of the Belgian side’s wish list.
By the 31st the potential deal had collapsed as Nottingham Forest decided to keep hold of the 27-year-old amid injury concerns about Lodi.
That left Anderlecht frustrated and their CEO of Sports Jesper Fredberg has now admitted to that in a post transfer window interview with Het Laatste Nieuws.
“To speak of a really successful mercato, that left-back should have been there,” he told them.
“But we ended up in situations during this mercato that you cannot foresee beforehand. Nottingham suddenly blocked Toffolo’s transfer, Arokodare driving to the left while we go to the right.
“Then you have to shift gears, but above all don’t panic. Above all, we didn’t want to attract anybody.
“For me, it would have been easy to get four, five players and say, ‘Look, they are there. My work is done.’ If it is not the right option, then you have to invest in the guys who are already there.
“We didn’t bring in an extra left-back after Toffolo was dropped because we believe N’Diaye and Sardella can take their game to the next level.”
