Nottingham Forest continue to be active in the summer window, and could be set to make another acquisition…

What’s the word?

That’s according to Foot Mercato, who notes of Steve Cooper’s eagerness to shop in Ligue 1 for additional reinforcements.

One forward they could poach is FC Nantes forward Moses Simon, who has been courted by European clubs for several years now.

The Nigerian could group up with his compatriot Taiwo Awoniyi, who was also a summer signing, and form a fierce and fresh attacking line for Cooper. He is reportedly available for €15m (12.7m).

 He could be their Sadio Mane

Premier League giants Liverpool reaped the rewards of signing a young African winger with bundles of pace and the ability to finish, as Sadio Mane went on to win every trophy available to him.

The Forest manager will be hoping to recreate this feat with the signing of this exciting Nigerian talent who will terrify Premier League full-backs.

In his final season with Southampton, Mane scored 11 and assisted seven before making the switch to Anfield.

Whilst not quite as impressive, a respectable return of six goals and eight assists for a decidedly mid-table side does suggest that Simon has the goalscoring and the creative ability to be a success.

Furthermore, his 7.69 progressive carries per 90 suggest he is someone who loves to pick up the ball and drive at defences, similar to Mane, who used to terrify right-backs as he would cut inside onto his favoured right foot and shoot with frightening success.

Simon fits this play style too, and with an average SofaScore rating of 7.08, he can be counted on as a reliable threat throughout the season.

He had praise rain down upon him after Nigeria’s group stage win at the Africa Cup of Nations, with journalist Oma Akatugba labelling him as “unplayable, unstoppable, unbelievable”.

Not only were his goals and assists tally impressive last season, but the fact that he also missed six more big chances, and created 13 despite his eight assists, suggests that his ceiling can go so much higher if he can improve his level.

Forest could definitely benefit from this injection of pace and energy, and if he could bring even a fraction of the success Mane did to Liverpool, then he will be loved across the City Ground.

Therefore, director of football Kyriakos Dourekas must seal a move for Simon before the transfer deadline on September 1st.