Nottingham Forest considered a move for Sheffield United attacker Iliman Ndiaye during the summer transfer window, a report from The Athletic has claimed.

Having joined the Blades back in 2019, the Senegal international has emerged as a key figure at Bramall Lane over the past couple of seasons.

The 22-year-old has scored 16 goals in 57 appearances in all competitions for the club, and has been a key figure in their push for promotion from the Championship this season.

Now however, it seems that there was a possibility that Ndiaye might not have been there to play a part in the Blades' current quest for a return to the Premier League, had thnigs been different in the summer.

According to this latest update, Forest considered making a bid of around £5million for the 22-year-old, during the summer transfer window.

It is thought that the interest in the attacker emerged after he impressed in the Championship play-off semi final between the two clubs, which Forest won on their way to promotion to the Premier League.

As things stand, Ndiaye's contract at Bramall Lane is set to expire at the end of the 2023/24 season.

The Verdict

Given how many players they did eventually bring in, it is no surprise that Forest considered a move for Ndiaye.

The Senegal international is fast emerging as one of the best talents in the Championship, and there will surely be an interest in him again going forward.

However, that means a bid of £5million would surely have been nowhere near enough for Sheffield United to part company with the 22-year-old, given how much he is worth to them.

Even so, that is a reminder of the importance of securing a new contract for Ndiaye, since the pressure of that outside interest will only increase the longer his current deal runs down.