Is Nottingham Forest star about to move to Championship rivals?
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His brace at the weekend secured an opening day victory for Nottingham Forest against newly-promoted Burton Albion, and that scoring return to first-team action after 14 months out has led to an incrase in speculation linking Britt Assombalonga to promotion-chasing Norwich City.
A knee injury against Wigan Athletic back in February 2015 saw Assombalonga face a long spell on the sidelines, with the 23-year-old returning to the first team at the tail end of last campaign.
And now with a full pre-season under his belt, Forest fans will feel like they’ve got a new signing.
However, the close of the transfer window can’t come soon enough for new boss Philippe Montanier, as the forward’s deadly goal ratio has inevitably attracted interest from one of the Championship’s big-boys.
The former Peterborough striker has scored an astonishing 83 goals in 169 appearances in his career so far, so it’s no surprise that his former chairman has tipped him to be a top Premier League striker in the future.
Assombalonga proved on two occasions last weekend that he has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, and if Forest can keep hold of him, they’ll certainly be good value for promotion at 10/1.
Montanier has an experienced squad at his disposal, boasting the likes of Matt Mills, David Vaughan, Henri Lansbury and Pajtim Kasami, but should Alex Neil make a formal bid for the striker, it would be hard for him to turn down the chance to join a team who already look well-placed to be plying their trade in the top-flight next campaign.
Given that Norwich comfortably saw off Owen Coyle’s Blackburn side 4-1 at Ewood Park in their opening game last weekend, it’s frightening to think what else the Canaries could do with a player of Assombalonga’s ability.
While he’s joint favourite at 9/1 as things stand with Ross McCormack and Dwight Gayle to finish as Top Goalscorer in the Championship this season, Assombalonga already has a two-goal head start on his rivals.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
