Luton, Nottingham Forest ‘in race for Cheikh Niasse
Luton Town have joined Nottingham Forest and a host of other European clubs in the race for Young Boys midfielder Cheikh Niasse.
The 23-year-old has featured heavily in the Champions League for the Swiss outfit in the opening stages of the 2023-24 term, playing in all six of his side’s group-stage contests.
Niasse has also been a regular figure for Young Boys in the Swiss Super League so far, appearing in 13 matches and providing one assist from a defensive-midfield role.
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The Senegalese made seven appearances for former club Lille in France before securing the £900,000 switch to Young Boys in the opening stages of 2022.
According to news outlet SportItalia, Premier League newcomers Luton have entered the hunt for Niasse’s signature during the January transfer window.
The report claims that the Hatters are keen on the midfielder ahead of the New Year, with fellow English club Nottingham Forest also monitoring the player.
Luton and the Tricky Trees are not alone in their fondness of Niasse, however, with Cadiz and title-chasing Girona also in the race for his services.
It is also believed that Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt of the Bundesliga are keeping tabs on the 23-year-old, as well as Ligue 1 outfit Lyon.
Young Boys are supposedly aware of the interest Niasse is attracting ahead of the January window, with Raphael Wicky’s men setting a sizeable asking price for the player.
It is understood that the Swiss champions would like to pocket between €10m (£8.7m) and €15m (£13m) for the midfielder, who played all but five minutes of his team’s Champions League campaign.
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Rob Edwards’s side are said to be planning a reshuffle of their midfield ranks in the New Year, with the Hatters reportedly considering the option of terminating Albert Sambi Lokonga’s loan deal from Arsenal.
The one-time Belgium international has featured in just four Premier League matches this term because of a serious hamstring injury, and Luton believe his loan spot in the squad could be used to better effect.
Should Marvelous Nakamba be unable to play once again, Lokonga could retain his spot in the engine room alongside ex-Chelsea man Ross Barkley for the visit of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.