Mainz director of football Christian Heidel has handed Nottingham Forest a boost in their pursuit to sign Moussa Niakhate.
The Reds are keen to sign the centre-half and have held talks with the 26-year-old over a move from the Bundesliga side to the City Ground. Niakhate has been a regular for Mainz over the course of the previous four years and has only a year remaining on his deal after signing from Metz in 2018
Niakhate, a left-sided central defender, is a target identified by Forest to strengthen one of several areas of their squad this summer to ensure they maintain their Premier League status next season, having gained promotion from the Championship via the play-offs.
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Sky Sports previously reported that Forest have "held talks" with the German club over the signing, with Dharmesh Sheth tweeting: "Nottingham Forest have held initial talks with Mainz over the signing of central defender Moussa Niakhate. Former French U21 international has a year left on his contract. He's one of a number of players they are looking at in that position."
Forest's interest has prompted Heidel to comment on the defender's situation in a report by German publication BILD. He revealed that Mainz 'are planning for Moussa to leave' this summer, as Bo Svensson looks to build on last season's eighth-place finish.
He added that only when the player and his advisors have come to an agreement with another club will the Bundesliga side become involved, which will see a transfer fee agreed upon.
Heidel's comments provide Forest with the boost they need to secure the defender for next season. Niakhate will join Joe Worrall, Steve Cook and Scott McKenna in Cooper's central defence after Tobias Figueiredo has left the club.
