Report: Nottingham Forest eyeing raid on European giants for standout striker

Nottingham Forest enter race for Francesco Pio Esposito

With Wood 33 years old, youth could well be the best option for Forest, making their reported interest in Inter Milan academy graduate Francesco Pio Esposito very promising.

According to On the Minute: ‘Nottingham Forest have joined Manchester United and Leicester City in the race to sign Inter Milan wonderkid Francesco Pio Esposito.”

A January transfer for a striker currently appears improbable given the decision on Awoniyi, but the article went on to imply that Esposito is more of a long-term strategy.

Esposito, who has a contract with Inter Milan through 2027, is anticipated to stay in Italy during the January transfer window in 2025, according to the article. But a summer transfer might be in the works.

Since it allows the Forest owner more time to sell Awoniyi or add a third striker to the mix if Forest wants to qualify for European football, this may be a win-win situation for everyone.

If Esposito’s performance in Italy this season is any indication, he would undoubtedly be a significant threat to the Forest team.

Francesco Pio Esposito’s meteoric rise in numbers

Esposito has been on loan at Serie B side, Spezia, for the last two seasons, where he has truly honed his craft as a striker.

Given his prowess in aerial duels thus far this season, Esposito, who stands six feet two, is developing into a frame that is strikingly similar to Wood’s. Additionally, he often finds the target with his shots, which would help him in the Premier League.

Creating chances for his teammates is an area in which he already outperforms the Kiwi international; Esposito creates 1.31 chances per game, while Wood only creates 0.38.

Esposito, who is only 19, might gain a lot from learning his craft under a player with Wood’s level of expertise while also giving the Forest coaching staff some special advantages up front.