Derby County and Leeds United are two of the clubs interested in a player that Nottingham Forest have just released.
The Reds are trying to streamline their squad at first-team level and in the academy ranks this summer.
Harry Arter, Cheikhou Kouyate, Wayne Hennessey and Felipe have all been released already with more set to follow.
Nuno Espirito Santo will want to shape his squad accordingly this summer and working with a smaller squad will be his priority.
Now, two clubs who have a history with Forest are keen to sign a talented player who has just walked through the City Ground exit.
Derby and Leeds want to sign Ateef Konate
No sooner than Forest have allowed Konate to leave the club, it would appear that an orderly queue is forming to sign him.
According to Africa Foot, Konate is being chased by Leeds, Derby, Sunderland and Huddersfield this summer.
The 23-year-old leaves Forest after making three appearances for the senior ranks on Trentside.
His only outing in a league game came as a substitute during a 3-0 win over Barnsley during the 2021/22 campaign.
Konate also made two appearances in the Carabao Cup when Chris Hughton was the manager.
Now, he’s set to seek out a new club and it would appear that he won’t be short of suitors any time soon.
Derby is an interesting one, with Tyrese Fornah signing for the Rams last summer and their fans now overly taking to him.
Konate can count himself unlucky at Forest
Since joining from Le Havre, Konate has started knocking on the door of the first team but it’s just not worked out.
The winger scored seven goals in all competitions for the B-Team last season but a Premier League chance was never close.
Dave Rogers, the former under-21 manager at Forest, called Konate ‘fantastic’ and he clearly valued his work at the club.
Ultimately, Konate fell victim to the club’s promotion and had the Reds stayed in the EFL he might have got more of a chance.
Now at 23, it’s time for Konate to head out and play some regular men’s football.
All four of the clubs on offer provide attractive propositions and pretty decent fan bases too.
Konate showcased that he’s capable of playing in a number of positions at Forest and now he has to prove himself again.
The challenge will be showing that he can make the step up in physicality to men’s football.
Forest will surely be watching this one with intrigue.
It’s no surprise that the Reds haven’t offered him a contract given his age but it will be fascinating to see how he gets on at his next club.
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