da heads bet: Nottingham Forest have reportedly ‘reached an agreement’ to sign free agent striker Cyle Larin this summer, according to Turkish outlet Fanatik.
The lowdown: Career so far
da esport bet: Signed by Besiktas from MLS side Orlando City in 2018, Larin spent time on loan in Belgium with Zulte Waregem whilst plying his trade with the Turkish giants.
The 27-year-old Canada international directly contributed to 48 goals in 109 outings for Besiktas, lifting the Super Lig title and the Turkish Cup during the 2020/21 campaign.
Currently a free agent after rejecting the offer of a prolonged stay and having previously been linked with Everton, West Ham and Brighton, Forest could now be set to land the frontman this summer…
The latest: Forest cited
As per Fanatik, Nottingham Forest have ‘made an agreement’ to sign the 50-cap Canada ace on a free transfer.
It’s claimed that Larin – who was earning a reported £26,000 per week last season (Salary Sport) – will join the Reds after he ‘parted ways’ with Besiktas due to a discrepancy over the salary on offer.
The report states that the Turkish club offered a new deal to the man hailed for an ‘unstoppable’ spell of form last year by writer and editor Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic, but the powerful frontman ‘did not accept’ the fresh terms.
The verdict: Shrewd business
Still holding a perceived market value of £9million (Transfermarkt), snapping up the 6 foot 1 versatile forward for nothing shouldn’t be underestimated as simply a value-for-money deal and has to be regarded as a major coup from the City Ground recruitment team.
During 2021/22, Larin scored eight times and provided one assist in 38 appearances across all competitions, some way below the previous season when the Canadian forged a frightening partnership with fellow powerhouse Vincent Aboubakar to net 23 times and register another six assists alongside the bulldozing Cameroon captain.
With club-record capture and somewhat like-for-like alternative Taiwo Awoniyi already in situ, Steve Cooper is rightfully stocking up on firepower as Forest ride the crest of a wave into the Premier League and look to secure the goals required to ensure their hard-earned status remains.