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Transfer news: Nottingham Forest still hoping to tie up deal for Lars Veldwijk

Lars Veldwijk Excelsior
Image: Lars Veldwijk: Excelsior striker is mulling over a move

Nottingham Forest are hoping to negotiate 'one or two technical issues' and complete a deal for Lars Veldwijk.

A fee has been agreed for the Excelsior striker and he has visited the City Ground to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.

The towering frontman has, however, returned to Holland after requesting time in which to mull over a move.

Forest coach Brian Eastick remains optimistic regarding the chances of a switch being pushed through, but concedes that there are a few hurdles to be overcome before the 22-year-old’s signature can be secured.

He told the Nottingham Evening Post: “There are one or two technical issues that we hope will be resolved in the next 24 hours.

“If it does not go through, it will not be the fault of anyone at Nottingham Forest.”

If Veldwijk signs, he would become the second attacking addition at Forest following the arrival of Matty Fryatt on a free transfer at the end of his contract at Hull City.

There was some fierce competition for his signature, so everyone is delighted he put pen to paper with us.
Brian Eastick

Incoming manager Stuart Pearce is yet to officially take the reins on Trentside, with his deal due to start on July 1, but Eastick admits he has made the acquisition of more firepower a top priority.

He added: “It is fair to say that it is a position we knew we wanted to strengthen.

“If you look at the teams who went up last season, at Leicester and Burnley, they had players who were a threat and were prepared to run in behind.

“Most importantly, they had players who were able to score goals. It is an area where every manager likes to have a strong selection of players.

“We have one very good one coming in (Fryatt) to compete with the ones we have already got, and hopefully there will still be another one coming in.”

Eastick believes Forest have pulled off quite a coup in landing former Leicester City frontman Fryatt – a player the club have been chasing for some time.

He said: “There was some fierce competition for his signature, so everyone is delighted he put pen to paper with us.

“It was probably the prospect of first-team football that lured him here. There was a lot of challenging competition for him at Hull City, he would perhaps hope that he would spend more minutes playing for us than he would with them in the Premier League.

“But there were quite a few good quality Championship clubs who were also trying to get his signature.

“He has moved for very good fees in the past, so to get him on a free transfer has to be considered a very good signing for us.”

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