Nottingham Forest identify Olympiacios’ Mehdi Taremi as main January target

Nottingham Forest have now identified a “ridiculous” striker as their preferred target in the January transfer window, following the departure of Arnaud Kalimuendo.

Forest look to sign new striker after Kalimuendo departure

After struggling to establish himself at Forest, Kalimuendo’s departure was sanctioned earlier this month, and the striker is off to a good start on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt.

The departure of the Frenchman goes Sean Dyche some light on the options at centre-forward, with Chris Wood still on the treatment table, while Igor Jesus hasn’t exactly set the world on fire this season, with the Brazilian having scored just one goal in Premier League.

Although the Tricky Trees are now seven points clear of 18th-placed West Ham United, they may be playing with their elite status if they fail to get another centre-forward through the door this month, and a new leading candidate has emerged.

This is according to a report from The Athletic, which states that the Olympiacios star Mehdi Taremi has been identified as Nottingham Forest’s top target at center forward.

The Iranian is now the first-choice option, ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Jorgen Strand Larsen, AS Roma’s Artem Dovbyk and Fenerbahce’s Youssef En-Nesyri on the shortlist.

Taremi is seen as the most realistic target for Forest, and with Evangelos Marinakis pulling the strings at the Greek club, a move would seem simple enough to arrange.

‘Ridiculous’ Taremi could be exciting acquisition for Forest

Praised for his “ridiculous” finishing skills by Rio FerdinandThe 33-year-old has been in fine form in front of goal for Olympiacos this season, scoring 16 goals in 21 matches in all competitions.

The 100-times Iran international is also experienced at the highest level, with a goal and four assists in the Champions League as Inter Milan reached the final last season.

With 91 goals and 56 assists in 182 appearances for FC Porto, the Bushehr-born striker is an experienced striker, and Forest will undoubtedly need to recruit a new centre-forward this month, following the departure of Kalimuendo.

As such, Forest are expected to make a move for Taremi this month, although it would probably be best to sign the veteran striker on a short-term deal until the end of the season, given he is set to turn 34 in July.