Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Yoane Wissa has become a key talking point in the final stretch of the January transfer window. Evangelos Marinakis, the club’s owner, is determined to add another attacker to the squad to bolster their already impressive season. However, with just a week left before the window slams shut, time is running out for Forest to get a deal over the line. The club currently sits third in the Premier League, an incredible achievement given their previous battles for survival, and the challenge now is to strengthen strategically to sustain their lofty position in the league.

Despite a heavy 5-0 defeat to Bournemouth over the weekend, there is no sense of panic within the Forest camp. The result is viewed as a blip rather than a cause for concern, and the focus remains firmly on finishing the window strongly. One player who has been consistently linked with a move to the City Ground is Brentford’s Yoane Wissa. The 28-year-old striker has been in fine form this season, continuing to showcase the goal-scoring prowess that made him such a key figure since joining the Bees from Lorient. Wissa’s contract has just 18 months remaining, which has reportedly piqued Forest’s interest as they seek to capitalize on his uncertain future at Brentford.

However, Brentford are reluctant to part ways with Wissa, especially mid-season, given his importance to their attacking setup. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp shed some light on the situation during coverage of Brentford’s match against Crystal Palace on Super Sunday. Redknapp revealed that Forest’s initial offer for Wissa, believed to be in the region of £20-25 million, falls short of Brentford’s valuation. According to Redknapp, Brentford might entertain offers closer to £40 million, but anything less seems unlikely to tempt them into selling.

“I guess the only thing is he’s only got 18 months left on his contract, and I guess that’s where you have to be smart,” Redknapp said. “I think they’ve offered £20-25 million. I think if the offer gets to £40 million, then it becomes a different dilemma, or do you just offer him a contract to keep him at the club? But there’s no doubting his ability.”

For Nottingham Forest, however, a £40 million fee for a 28-year-old striker may not align with their recruitment strategy. The club has worked hard in recent windows to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level without overpaying for talent. While Wissa’s track record in the Premier League makes him an attractive target, it’s difficult to see Forest breaking their structure to meet Brentford’s valuation.

Wissa has undoubtedly proven himself at this level, scoring 12 goals this season and continuing to be a key figure for Brentford. His ability to find the net consistently since Brentford’s promotion via the Championship play-offs has made him a valuable asset. However, with Brentford keen to retain him and time running out in the January window, Forest may face an uphill battle to complete this deal.

This scenario highlights the challenges of negotiating mid-season transfers. Clubs are often unwilling to part with key players in January unless they receive an offer too good to refuse, and Brentford appear to be no different in their stance on Wissa. Given these factors, it seems more likely that Forest would revisit their interest in the striker during the summer window, when Brentford might be more open to a sale or risk losing him for a reduced fee as his contract approaches its final year.

For now, Forest will likely keep Wissa on their radar but may need to explore alternative options to reinforce their squad in the coming days. While the club’s lofty league position is a remarkable achievement, strengthening the team intelligently will be crucial to maintaining momentum in the second half of the season. The next week promises to be a critical period behind the scenes at the City Ground, as Forest look to finalize their January business and continue their push for success in the Premier League.