Contact made: Nottingham Forest offered Real Madrid star in free deal: View

In what could be their biggest move of the summer transfer window so far, Nottingham Forest have reportedly been offered the chance to sign a former Real Madrid star for free.

The Reds have kept themselves busy this summer with additions such as Elliott Anderson and, most recently, Nikola Milenkovic as they look to hand Nuno Espirito Santo the chance to move his side away from Premier League relegation trouble and into the comforts of mid-table. Milenkovic’s arrival is particularly impressive, with the former Fiorentina man coming in to replace Moussa Niakhate, who swapped Forest for Lyon this summer.

After welcoming the central defender, Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson told Forest’s official website: “We are excited to welcome Nikola to Nottingham Forest today. He is a key part of our squad planning this summer and I know how enthusiastic he has been to join the club.

“We have long admired his performances with the Serbian national team, and in Serie A and European competitions for Fiorentina. We are delighted that he will bring his experience and qualities to Nottingham Forest.”

It looks as though experience could be the way forward too. According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Nottingham Forest have been offered the chance to sign James Rodriguez after the former Real Madrid star rescinded his contract at Sao Paulo. Now a free agent, Forest as well as the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa have been approached by Rodriguez’s reps for the opportunity to seal a deal that could certainly steal plenty of headlines.

Rodriguez proved that he can still perform on the biggest stage this summer when he helped Colombia reach the Copa America final, where they eventually lost out to Argentina.

The sheer thought of Rodriguez combining with Morgan Gibbs-White is enough to get behind the idea of Forest welcoming such a talent before the summer window slams shut at the end of the month. But, given how many clubs have been offered the same opportunity to sign one of the best free agents in the market right now, those at the City Ground may find it difficult to secure Rodriguez’s signature.