According to TEAMtalk, Nottingham Forest are ‘closing in’ on another signing – Ilyas El Khabchi. The 21-year-old shone while being watched by scouts and was taken to Forest on trial as a result.
TEAMtalk say he’s impressed Sabri Lamouchi enough to be ‘handed a deal’ until the end of the season, but he’ll be given a run-out for the u23s before a contract will be put on the table.
As per Soccerway, El Khabchi is an attacking-midfielder who scored seven goals in 14 appearances for Jura Dolois (Championnat National 3) in 2017/18 and netted six goals in 20 games last season. He’s been out of contract ever since. however.
He’ll have stiff competition in the Forest first-team from Joao Carvalho, Tiago Silva and John Bostock, but El Khabchi may be given time to develop in the reserves before training with the seniors.
Young players have been given a chance under Lamouchi, with Arijanet Muric (20), Joe Worrall (22), Yuri Ribeiro (22), Alfa Semedo (22), Matty Cash (22), Carvalho (22), Rafa Mir (22) and Brennan Johnson (18) racking up 2948 minutes of Championship football between them.
Playing standards have been significantly elevated, however, as the Reds are currently second in the division after 11 games. El Khabchi will need to work hard get more playing time in the first-team.
