Pearce: Why Mateta would be right fit at City Ground

CLUB legend Stuart Pearce is convinced signing Jean-Philippe Mateta would be a crucial piece of the puzzle for Nottingham Forest.

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The Reds have already bolstered their forward resources this month with the addition of Lorenzo Lucca on loan from Napoli. But they want to add another striker before the January transfer window closes on Monday.

A number of potential options are on Forest's radar as deadline day looms, including Mateta. A £35m offer has been made to the Eagles, who reportedly could be willing to let the Frenchman go if a package worth in the region of £40m is put forward and they can source a replacement.

"The options they (Forest) have had up front have been ok but I think they can get better," former Reds player and manager Pearce said in an interview with Betway.

"If Mateta comes and delivers what we've seen over the last year or so from Palace, I think that could be a piece of the jigsaw that would suit Forest brilliantly.