Nicola Zalewski [BUPA]

[Heffing Psycho!]

21 year old, Polish international LWB currently at Roma.

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nicola-zalewski/profil/spieler/550108

Source here, mentions a couple of other clubs so could just be his agent getting his name out there:

La Repubblica: “E’ Zalewski l’indiziato numero uno a salutare. Agente a Londra, Pinto chiede 20 milioni”

ULTIME NOTIZIE AS ROMA - Se tutti i quotidiani puntano su Ibanez come pezzo pregiato della rosa destinato a salutare Trigoria, diverse le informazioni che ha La Repubblica.Secondo il quotidiano in

www.giallorossi.net

 

[Est.1865]

Never heard of the lad. Damn there’s a lot of footballers out there

Born Jan 2002 so another in the u21 qualifying category.

 

[Ashley]

Another left back linked then, a Lodi alternative? Regular for a decent Roma side this season and of a good age.

 

[RichNFFC]

Looks like he played on the right a lot last season

 

[Est.1865]

I think based on our situation with Lodi where we don’t appear to want to pay anywhere near 20mil, I wouldn’t think we’ll be dropping 20mil on another LB.

So I think the link may be valid, but I would definitely discount the valuation.

I could see us paying around 12mil for an alternative to Lodi, if that one doesn’t get done.

 

[Ashley]

I think based on our situation with Lodi where we don’t appear to want to pay anywhere near 20mil, I wouldn’t think we’ll be dropping 20mil on another LB.

So I think the link may be valid, but I would definitely discount the valuation.

I could see us paying around 12mil for an alternative to Lodi, if that one doesn’t get done.

I think with Lodi, the situation is probably more down to the player himself rather than the fee.

Odds are we are going to have to pay £15-20m if we are going to want a Premier League quality left back, regardless of what happens with Lodi IMO.

 

[Gyros Peter]

I think with Lodi, the situation is probably more down to the player himself rather than the fee.

Odds are we are going to have to pay £15-20m if we are going to want a Premier League quality left back, regardless of what happens with Lodi IMO.

I'm not so sure: apparently we've been trying to renegotiate that fee since before the purchase option expired - I doubt we'd be doing that if the player would reject us anyway.

 

[Ashley]

I'm not so sure: apparently we've been trying to renegotiate that fee since before the purchase option expired - I doubt we'd be doing that if the player would reject us anyway.

The original asking price was £25m wasn't it? Talk is the current asking price is now closer to £17m, which seems about right. The sticking points seem to be Lodi's preference for Champions League football and what is best for his family. I think we might be throwing our hat into the ring just in case, but I get the feeling we aren't top of Lodi's choices and I think the club knows that too.

 

[Gyros Peter]

The original asking price was £25m wasn't it? Talk is the current asking price is now closer to £17m, which seems about right. The sticking points seem to be Lodi's preference for Champions League football and what is best for his family. I think we might be throwing our hat into the ring just in case, but I get the feeling we aren't top of Lodi's choices and I think the club knows that too.

Believe it was 30 million euros with a 5 million loan fee, which I imagine is complicating negotiations somewhat.
Fwiw I think we'll get him (Lodi) unless Newcastle's interest was legit.

In terms of this guy, I also think we need two left backs unless Richards reappears - bringing in an u21 with top level experience would be exactly the type of competition I'd want.

 

[Ashley]

Believe it was 30 million euros with a 5 million loan fee, which I imagine is complicating negotiations somewhat.
Fwiw I think we'll get him (Lodi) unless Newcastle's interest was legit.

In terms of this guy, I also think we need two left backs unless Richards reappears - bringing in an u21 with top level experience would be exactly the type of competition I'd want.

I think Toffolo will be fine as back up personally. As far as Zalewski is concerned, I'd think he'd want to be first choice if he left Roma (where he has been a regular for a side that finished 6th in Serie A and made the Europa League final). I think bringing him in as 'competition' (which is a nice way of saying back up if we are being honest) would be a very short conversation from Zalewski's POV.

 

[Monkman]

According to transfermarkt he's not necessarily competing with Lodi anyway:

Main position:
Left Midfield
Other position:
Left Winger
Right Midfield

 

[Rzar]

He has a very impressive track record

 

[Rzar]

According to transfermarkt he's not necessarily competing with Lodi anyway:

Main position:
Left Midfield
Other position:
Left Winger
Right Midfield

Switched between left wing back and right wing back most of the season

 

[Gyros Peter]

Competition is just that for me - in a proper competitive 25 every shirt should be there to be won and lost, bar perhaps the GK. And like any player coming, I've no doubt Zalewski would wish to be first choice - earn it!

I think Toffolo will be fine as back up personally. As far as Zalewski is concerned, I'd think he'd want to be first choice if he left Roma (where he has been a regular for a side that finished 6th in Serie A and made the Europa League final). I think bringing him in as 'competition' (which is a nice way of saying back up if we are being honest) would be a very short conversation from Zalewski's POV.

 

[Ashley]

Switched between left wing back and right wing back most of the season

That's what a lot of places online seem to reckon when I did a search on him.

 

[Red Dog in a Forest]

I think Toffolo will be fine as back up personally. As far as Zalewski is concerned, I'd think he'd want to be first choice if he left Roma (where he has been a regular for a side that finished 6th in Serie A and made the Europa League final). I think bringing him in as 'competition' (which is a nice way of saying back up if we are being honest) would be a very short conversation from Zalewski's POV.

I’m beginning to think your Toffolo’s agent!

 

[Gyros Peter]

Switched between left wing back and right wing back most of the season

What's his natural side do you know?

 

[Rzar]

What's his natural side do you know?

Left sided

 

[Est.1865]

Believe it was 30 million euros with a 5 million loan fee, which I imagine is complicating negotiations somewhat.
Fwiw I think we'll get him (Lodi) unless Newcastle's interest was legit.

In terms of this guy, I also think we need two left backs unless Richards reappears - bringing in an u21 with top level experience would be exactly the type of competition I'd want.

Agree. And this lad would would exactly the type of signing I’d advocate, as you say u21 with top level experience is a win/win

 

[Ashley]

Competition is just that for me - in a proper competitive 25 every shirt should be there to be won and lost, bar perhaps the GK. And like any player coming, I've no doubt Zalewski would wish to be first choice - earn it!

Good players often ask for assurances of whether or not they are going to get regular game time, particularly ones already playing regularly at a decent level. If Forest aren't going to offer that, then other sides (including his current club) will.

I’m beginning to think your Toffolo’s agent!

Nope, just budget conscious. Spending big money on two left backs in one window isn't financially sensible. One of Toffolo or Richards is going to be back up next season, and I lean towards the one that isn't dead personally.

 

[Monkman]

Toffolo is decent backup for a few games a season. If we're spending megabucks then sure, get two expensive LBs, but otherwise the money is better spent on other positions.

 

[Gyros Peter]

Good players often ask for assurances of whether or not they are going to get regular game time, particularly ones already playing regularly at a decent level. If Forest aren't going to offer that, then other sides (including his current club) will.

Respectfully, I think that's a somewhat old fashioned take - players know they need to perform and will back themselves (it takes an arrogance to get to elite level) to become first choice.

Nope, just budget conscious. Spending big money on two left backs in one window isn't financially sensible. One of Toffolo or Richards is going to be back up next season, and I lean towards the one that isn't dead personally.

I'm not so sure - with Williams able to cover both sides and Serge functioning better as full back than wing back (and right of a three potentially) I wouldn't be at all surprised to see another player come in to offer options on both sides, as well as in other positions. 25 isn't many so the more flex within that the better, and adding someone as and u21 with more quality than Toffs would be solid work for me, hopefully with Lodi.

Wishful thinking perhaps, but I see logic in upgrading Toffolo regardless, and as I've said before I would look to.

 

[Ashley]

Respectfully, I think that's a somewhat old fashioned take - players know they need to perform and will back themselves (it takes an arrogance to get to elite level) to become first choice.


I'm not so sure - with Williams able to cover both sides and Serge functioning better as full back than wing back (and right of a three potentially) I wouldn't be at all surprised to see another player come in to offer options on both sides, as well as in other positions. 25 isn't many so the more flex within that the better, and adding someone as and u21 with more quality than Toffs would be solid work for me, hopefully with Lodi.

Wishful thinking perhaps, but I see logic in upgrading Toffolo regardless, and as I've said before I would look to.

I don't think its an old fashioned take, quite the opposite; player power is king these days and good players know that they can make these kinds of demands, safe if the knowledge that if one club doesn't meet them another club probably will. He's already getting regular football at a decent top flight level and will be playing in Europe next season at his current club after all.

Even if he was willing to come here without those assurances, can we really afford to sign both him and Lodi whilst also being able to strengthen the other positions in the squad that need filling? I doubt it personally. At the end of the day, there isn't an endless pot of money so we need to prioritise our spending to ensure that the essential positions are filled adequately.

 

[Red Dog in a Forest]

Good players often ask for assurances of whether or not they are going to get regular game time, particularly ones already playing regularly at a decent level. If Forest aren't going to offer that, then other sides (including his current club) will.

Nope, just budget conscious. Spending big money on two left backs in one window isn't financially sensible. One of Toffolo or Richards is going to be back up next season, and I lean towards the one that isn't dead personally.

Thank you for confirming

 

[Ashley]

Thank you for confirming

I've noticed you've made a few comments like that about me recently whenever I have mentioned Toffolo. A bit weird if I'm being honest mate. Its hardly like views like 'Toffolo is fine as back up' or 'money is better spent elsewhere' (opinions shared by other posters as well, by the way) is like I'm bigging him up to be some world beater or anything, is it?