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Nottingham Forest have increased their offer for Feyenoord right-back Givairo Read, while West Ham have told Brentford that El Hadji Malick Diouf is not for sale.
Forest Return With Improved Read Offer
Nottingham Forest have submitted a second bid for Feyenoord defender Givairo Read as they attempt to close the gap between their opening offer and the Dutch club’s asking price.
The new proposal is reported to be worth around €20 million, approximately £17.5 million, after Feyenoord rejected Forest’s first bid. That opening offer was placed at roughly €17.5 million, with the Rotterdam club thought to value Read closer to €30 million.
That leaves Forest with some negotiating to do. The latest bid represents a clear step forward, but Feyenoord are under little pressure to accept a cut-price deal for one of Europe’s more highly rated young full-backs.
Givairo Read is reportedly open to joining Forest, which should at least prevent personal terms from becoming the main obstacle. The harder conversation will take place between the clubs, particularly if Feyenoord remain determined to collect a fee near their valuation.
Why Read Is Drawing Premier League Interest
Givairo Read only turned 20 in June, but he has already established himself in Feyenoord’s senior side and represented the Netherlands at youth level.
He is an attack-minded right-back who is comfortable moving high up the pitch, combining with wingers and carrying the ball into advanced areas. That profile suits Premier League clubs looking for defenders who can contribute far beyond their own penalty area.
Manchester City and Bayern Munich have previously been linked with Read. Bayern reportedly stepped away after Feyenoord placed a valuation of around €30 million on the defender, although the level of interest illustrates why the Dutch club feel able to demand a premium.
Read’s 2025-26 campaign was interrupted by injuries, including a problem that kept him out late in 2025 and another setback shortly after his return in January. He recovered to feature during Feyenoord’s run-in and scored a late winner against Fortuna Sittard as the club secured second place and Champions League qualification.
The injury record may give Forest some negotiating ammunition, but probably not enough to persuade Feyenoord to knock a huge amount off the price. Young full-backs with senior European experience are rarely found in the bargain aisle.
Forest Look for a Long-Term Right-Back
Forest’s pursuit suggests the club are searching for more than a short-term squad option. Read would arrive with the potential to compete immediately while developing into a valuable long-term asset. His pace and willingness to attack could give Nottingham Forest another outlet on the right, particularly against opponents who allow them space to break.
For bettors, a deal of this type is more relevant to Forest’s week-to-week performances than their outright season odds. A productive full-back can improve chance creation, crossing numbers and the output of nearby attackers, although a 20-year-old adapting from the Eredivisie would still need time.
The move therefore looks more like a squad-building decision than one likely to cause an instant rush at the betting window.
West Ham Reject Brentford’s Diouf Bid
Elsewhere, West Ham have rejected an opening offer from Brentford for El Hadji Malick Diouf and informed their London rivals that the left-back is not available.
Brentford’s bid was considered too low, but West Ham’s response went beyond the usual haggling. Reports suggest the Hammers have issued a firm hands-off warning and see Diouf as an important part of their plans.
Brentford’s interest is understandable. Injuries to Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey have left the Bees assessing their options on the left side of defence, and Diouf offers the athleticism and versatility to cover several roles.
The Senegal international joined West Ham from Slavia Prague in a deal worth £22 million plus add-ons. Before moving to England, he recorded seven goals and three assists during Slavia’s title-winning campaign, operating as a left-back, wing-back and occasionally further forward.
Hammers Have Little Need to Sell
West Ham’s position is strengthened by the money already raised through player sales. The club have reportedly brought in a combined £153 million from the departures of Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, reducing the financial need to cash in on Diouf. That allows West Ham to focus on keeping players they believe can help them return to the Premier League.
Diouf was one of the brighter performers during a difficult season and has also gained further experience with Senegal. Selling him to Brentford would leave West Ham needing to find a replacement while strengthening a direct rival.
Brentford could return with a larger offer, but West Ham’s current stance suggests it would take an uncomfortable amount of money to change the conversation.
Two Deals Facing Very Different Obstacles
Nottingham Forest and Brentford are chasing young full-backs, but the negotiations are moving along very different tracks.
Forest appear to have encouragement from Givairo Read and are trying to find a price Feyenoord will accept. Brentford, by contrast, have run into a club that currently has the money and motivation to say no.
Neither pursuit is finished, but Forest’s looks the more realistic of the two. The question is whether they are prepared to move closer to Feyenoord’s €30 million valuation or gamble on the Dutch side lowering its demands later in the window.
