Leeds and fierce rivals want a ‘fantastic’ player just released by Nottingham Forest

Harry Arter, Cheikhou Kouyate, Wayne Hennessey and Felipe have already been released, with more to follow.

Nuno Espirito Santo will want to build his squad accordingly this summer and working with a smaller squad will be his priority.

Now two clubs who have a history with Forest are keen to sign a talented player who has just passed through the City Ground exit.

Derby and Leeds want to sign Ateef Konate

As soon as Forest allowed Konate to leave the club, there seems to be an orderly queue forming to sign him.

According to Africa Foot, Konate is being watched by Leeds, Derby, Sunderland and Huddersfield this summer.

The 23-year-old leaves Forest after making three appearances for the senior ranks on Trentside.

His only appearance in a league game came as a substitute during a 3–0 win over Barnsley in the 2021/22 campaign.

Konate made two more Carabao Cup appearances when Chris Hughton was manager.

Now, he is set to look for a new club and it would appear that there will be no shortage of suitors anytime soon.

The derby is an interesting one, Tyrese Fornah signed for the Rams last summer and their fans are now over the moon about him.

Konate can consider himself unhappy at Forest

Since arriving from Le Havre, Konate has started knocking on the first team door but it just hasn’t panned out.

The midfielder scored seven goals in all competitions for the B-Team last season, but the Premier League opportunity was never close.

Dave Rogers, the former under-21 manager at Forest, called Konate “fantastic” and clearly appreciated his work at the club.

In the end, Konate fell victim to the club’s promotion and had the Reds stayed in the EFL, they would have had more chances.

Now, at 23, it’s time for Konate to go out and play regular men’s football.

All four clubs on offer offer attractive propositions and fairly decent fan bases.

Konate has shown that he is capable of playing in multiple positions at Forest and now he has to prove himself again.

The challenge will be to show that he can step forward in terms of physicality in men’s soccer.

Forest will surely follow this one up with intrigue.

It’s no surprise that the Reds didn’t offer him a contract given his age, but it will be fascinating to see how he fares at his next club.

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