Nottingham Forest join race for Estudiantes Midfield talent after €6m bid rejected

Nottingham Forest are keeping a close watch on Estudiantes midfielder Mikel Amondarain after the Argentine club rejected a €6 million (£5.2m) offer from Real Betis.

According to reports in Argentina, Forest are among several European clubs monitoring the 21-year-old, although no formal approach has yet been made. Serie A side Bologna are also credited with interest as Amondarain's impressive campaign continues to attract attention.

Estudiantes are open to selling the midfielder this summer, but only if their valuation is met after turning down Betis' opening bid.

Amondarain has emerged as one of Estudiantes' standout performers this season, contributing four goals and three assists in 23 appearances while establishing himself as a regular in the first team.

The Argentine club see him as their most valuable sale of the current transfer window but are under no immediate pressure to negotiate. With his contract running until December 2028, Estudiantes are in a strong position to wait for improved offers.

Betis have already tested that resolve, but their proposal fell short of the club's expectations, effectively setting a new benchmark for any interested clubs.

Forest are yet to make their move, but the Premier League side are believed to be closely following developments as they assess potential additions in midfield.

Amondarain's versatility is one of his biggest strengths. Comfortable operating as a deep-lying midfielder or in a more advanced box-to-box role, he combines composure in possession with the physical attributes needed to compete defensively.

Standing around 1.85 metres, he offers strength in duels while also acting as a playmaker from deep, regularly dropping between the centre-backs to begin attacks before progressing the ball through midfield.

His passing accuracy of 86.3% this season highlights his reliability in possession, while his tactical intelligence has made him one of the most highly-rated young midfielders in Argentina.

Nicknamed "El Vasquito" because of his Basque family heritage, Amondarain is now firmly on the radar of clubs across Europe, with competition for his signature expected to intensify before the transfer window closes.

Forest are expected to continue scouting Amondarain before deciding whether to submit a formal offer. With Betis already having an opening bid rejected and Bologna also interested, Estudiantes could benefit from increased competition as they look to secure the highest possible fee for one of their brightest young talents.

Would Mikel Amondarain be a smart long-term signing for Nottingham Forest, or should the club prioritise a more experienced midfielder this summer?