Exclusive from Sky Sports News: Nottingham Forest have had a £20m bid rejected for Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari. Rob Dorsett and Elliot Cook broke the news this afternoon.
Sources confirm Brighton view the offer as significantly below their valuation. The Swedish international is not for sale at that price. Full stop.
The timeline
Forest submitted the bid earlier this week. Brighton's response was swift. No negotiations opened. The fee does not come close to what they want.
Understanding is that Brighton value Ayari somewhere north of £30m. That's a big gap with 48 hours left in the window. Forest are now deciding whether to return with an improved offer or walk away entirely.
Why Forest want him
Sean Dyche has been clear about what he needs: runners, fighters, players who can do the dirty work. Ayari ticks those boxes. He also scored a 25-yard screamer against Fulham five days ago. That helps.
Forest have struggled for consistency since Dyche took charge in October. Third manager of the season. Relegation is a genuine threat. The club wants to back him in the market but they're working within tight PSR constraints after compensating both Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou earlier in the campaign.
Per Sky Sports, Ayari "would likely receive a significant pay rise" if he moved to the City Ground. Forest are willing to make him a priority in terms of wages. That's a statement of intent, regardless of whether Brighton accept.
Brighton's position
Fabian Hurzeler has repeatedly said he is happy with his squad this month. Speaking before the win over Burnley on January 3, he noted: "We always try to analyse the transfer market. But overall, at the moment, I'm quite happy."
Ayari has started 17 of 23 league matches. That's first-team regular territory. Brighton paid £3.5m to AIK Stockholm in January 2023 and sent him on loan to Coventry and Blackburn to develop. He came back ready. Turning a £3.5m outlay into £20m profit after three years is solid business. Turning it into £30m+ is even better.
The club also signed Pascal Gross back from Borussia Dortmund for around £1m this month. Midfield is well stocked. Selling Ayari would leave them light.
What comes next
Clock is ticking. Window shuts Monday at 11pm. Forest need to move fast if they want Ayari. Sources indicate there's been no second bid yet.
Brighton have a game against Everton on Saturday. Ayari will likely start. If Forest don't come back with a serious offer before then, this one's probably dead.
Watch this space.
