Nottingham Forest titan Evangelos Marinakis makes major transfer as Sean Dyche replaces key man

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche is understood to be keen to sign a striker in the January transfer window.

Forest are one place above the Premier League relegation zone and have scored fewer goals than anyone in the division with the exceptions of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland.

Dyche, who replaced Ange Postecoglou who replaced Nuno Espirito Santo, has steadied his team but their tactical approach throughout the festive fixture programme was regarded as a little on the conservative side.

Dyche is reportedly looking to Evangelos Marinakis to unlock a striker signing

Not having a reliably prolific source of goals has been a contributing factor in Dyche's outlook in games against superior opposition. While a comeback win against West Ham United could prove the pivotal result in Forest's season, giving the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi a sharpshooting foil could go a long way to making sure.

According to reporting by David Ornstein of The Athletic, Forest are turning to Olympiacos, also controlled by Marinakis, for a striker capable of fulfilling the brief. It seems there's a chance Dyche gets his way.

"Mehdi Taremi has emerged as Nottingham Forest’s leading candidate among multiple options as they look for a new striker in this window," according to Ornstein.

"Taremi, 33, is the most realistic option for Forest, but that could yet change if, for example, his current club Olympiacos, suffer an injury in attack.

"The Iran international striker helped Inter to the Champions League final last season then moved to the Athens side in August."

The Athletic reports that Taremi is in the frame for a move to Forest along with three other strikers. Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Artem Dovbyk of Roma and Fenerbahce forward Youssef El-Nesyri are the other names on the shortlist - all of whom, much like Taremi, are considerable in stature and fit the Dyche striker mould.

Taremi, an Iranian international with more than 100 caps to his name, has scored eight times in 11 league fixtures for the Piraeus club since his summer move from northern Italy.

Get premium Nottingham Forest tickets HERE with Seat Unique!

Nottingham Forest's Seat Unique Club provides an elevated VIP experience with an exclusive entrance and premium padded balcony seating. The package features a Champagne reception, a pre-match buffet, and a complimentary bar (beer, wine, soft drinks). Guests also enjoy a match programme, half-time tea/coffee, and a full-time cheeseboard (yes, really!) in a welcoming, family-friendly environment.

View Deal

Taremi has been a prolific scorer throughout his career so his appeal to Forest and Dyche is obvious.

Forest have averaged a goal per game in the Premier League this season, a worse total than every other side except Wolves, who have scored six fewer than Forest's 21. The East Midlanders are among the worst teams in the league for under-performing against their Expected Goals (xG) value, too – they need a hitman.

Supporters will be keen to see how Dyche approaches their game against Arsenal at the weekend after an attempt to stifle the recent game at Aston Villa failed.

It follows reports that transfers chief Edu Gaspar, formerly of the Gunners, is on his way out at the City Ground, having disappointed paymaster Marinakis with his work in the market over the past six months.