Nigerian striker Cyriel Dessers says Nottingham Forest tried to sign him on a “crazy” deadline day in the summer.
The Reds had looked to bolster their attacking options during the transfer window. They explored a number of targets, but were unable to get a deal for an out-and-out forward over the line.
Dessers ended up joining Feyenoord on loan from Belgian club Genk, but says Forest were among several teams chasing his signature as the clock ticked down on the last day of August.
“That day was the craziest day of my life,” he told De Telegraaf in a translated interview via Dutch website Sport Nieuws.
“If only there had been cameras… That documentary could have won an Oscar.
“I left for Madrid at 6 in the morning, with the idea of signing with Leganes. But at the gate we suddenly received a phone call from several clubs. Antwerp, Nottingham Forest, Feyenoord.
“In the end, Stijn (Francis, his representative) and I got on the plane. During the flight you have no idea for 2.5 hours which team you are going to play for the next day. At that moment my fate was in the hands of the clubs.
“After landing we sat down on a bench in front of the airport between the taxis. Finally, Genk reached an agreement with Feyenoord and I signed my contract in the lobby of a hotel in Madrid.
"Everyone says you shouldn't choose the money, but when those numbers are in front of you, it works a little differently.
“I once received an offer from Japan. Really a mega offer! Even my mom said, 'Cyriel, would you don't even think about this, do you?'. In the end I didn't."
The 26-year-old has bagged five goals in 12 appearances for Feyenoord so far this season.
Forest made a total of 10 signings in the summer, including Xande Silva, who is capable of playing in a number of attacking positions but has featured just once since putting pen to paper.
