(Football news) Nuno Espirito Santo and his players are currently focused on trying to secure European qualification for the 2025-26 campaign.

However, successive defeats to Aston Villa and Everton have left the East Midlands outfit with just a three-point advantage over seventh position in the Premier League table.

As such, Nuno’s transfer budget for the summer transfer window remains up in the air, particularly given Forest’s struggles with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations in the past.

Nevertheless, according to multiple reports, club officials have earmarked one of the top prospects in Serie A as a potential signing.

Which winger could move to Premier League?

The report alleges that Forest have already signalled their willingness to pay €40m (£34.46m) to secure a deal for Como attacker Assane Diao.

During the second half of the season, the 19-year-old has played a starring role the Italian top-flight minnows who are managed by Cesc Fabregas.

Six goals and one assist have come from 14 appearances, Como sitting in 13th position in the Serie A table and 12 points clear of the relegation zone.

While Fabregas will want to continue to build Como into a top-half side, having an opportunity to treble their January outlay on Diao will have to be considered.

That is despite Real Betis being due 20% of any future fee for the starlet courtesy of the terms that were agreed during the winter transfer window.

Would Man United retain interest?

In recent weeks, Manchester United have also been credited with an interest in Diao as Ruben Amorim considers how to transform his squad.

If Forest are willing to go as high as £34.5m, though, it is questionable whether United would follow up their interest given the need to sign players for other positions.

Regardless of the interest in him, Diao may also be open to staying put for the foreseeable future. This is the first time in his career where he has been earning regular starts and could feel that it is best for his development.

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