Nottingham Forest join Crystal Palace in transfer battle for Atletico Madrid star

Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo Mandava is now approaching the end of his contract in La Liga but the 31-year-old is now attracting interest from the Premier League, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Turkey and Saudi Arabia

Nottingham Forest have made enquiries for Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo Mandava. The 31-year-old Mozambique international is poised to become a free agent this summer following the expiry of his contract at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Mandava’s deal was initially due to expire on June 30 but he has agreed a short-term contract extension that will enable him to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup. Beyond that, he’s expected to depart Atletico following three-and-a-half years of service.

Fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace are also in the running and have held exploratory conversations with the player’s representatives.

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But as of now, the race for the versatile Atletico left-back, who can also play as a centre-back in a three-man defence, is wide open and there is a long list of clubs from Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Turkey and Saudi Arabia in contention for his signature. Both Forest and Palace are actively looking to bolster their squads as they gear up for European football next season. Forest have made the signing of a new left-back one of their top transfer priorities as they look to recruit competition for Neco Williams following the Welshman’s stellar campaign at the City Ground. They do also have other options on their radar including Stade Rennes captain Adrien Truffert, who is also admired by Bournemouth, as loanee Alex Moreno will be returning to Aston Villa. Meanwhile, Palace are targeting a replacement for Ben Chilwell as the England international is unlikely to sign on a permanent basis following his six-month loan from Chelsea.

The Eagles saw two bids rejected by Slavia Prague for Senegalese wing-back El Hadji Malick Diouf in January and could yet reignite their interest in the player this summer.

Mandava can operate as a left-wing back but he would be better suited to the left centre-back role within Oliver Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 system, if they were to push ahead with a deal. The experienced Mozambican proved an instant hit at Atletico under Diego Simeone after joining the club from Lille in January 2022. However, his involvement has been limited in the final months of the season and he was an unused substitute in Atletico’s final nine La Liga matches. He was part of the Lille side that pipped Paris Saint-Germain to the French title in 2021 and in doing so, he was named in the Ligue 1 Team of The Year. Mandava has also won 49 caps at international level, scoring four goals for his country.

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