Nottingham Forest have reportedly targeted two defensive reinforcements following an opening day Premier League defeat to Arsenal.
Luiz Felipe of Real Betis and Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah are the two names that have been linked with moves to Forest.
Steve Cooper looked in crisis with no recognised left-back available for their opener at the Emirates Stadium, but they were able to welcome back Moussa Niakhate, if only as a substitute.
A report in the Nottingham Post claims that Forest have wasted no time in lining up potential additions, but a recent £13m bid for Felipe has been rejected.
It is believed that Betis value the Brazilian-born Italian international closer to €20m (£17m), given that he is a first-team regular at the club.
The defender played 90 minutes for Los Verdiblancos in their first La Liga game of the season against Villarreal over the weekend.
Felipe was a regular as Betis finished in the top six last season, qualifying for the Europa League once more.
© Reuters
The 26-year-old is also up to full speed having played in all six pre-season friendlies for the club, but he was sent off against Burnley.
Aggression is a big part of the central defender's game, but it sometimes gets the better of him as he received 42 bookings and a red card in five seasons at Lazio.
In addition to the interest in Felipe, Alan Nixon of The Sun claims that Forest are also pursuing a loan move for Chalobah.
The young English defender is set to fall further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge following the signing of Axel Disasi from Monaco, and the return of Levi Colwill after his loan at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chalobah missed Chelsea's match with Liverpool, but did feature four times during pre-season under Mauricio Pochettino.
© Reuters
Despite making 45 Premier League appearances in the last two seasons though, recent signings - including the currently injured Benoit Badiashile - make competition for places fierce.
Chalobah has frequently featured in a back three at Chelsea, something which Forest are currently playing with, but he has also shown his ability at playing in a four.
Cooper has gone on record to state that he wants further additions to the squad before the deadline, as business has been much quieter compared to the hectic summer that they had a year ago.
Matt Turner was the most recent of three signings made this summer, after joining Anthony Elanga and Ola Aina through the door at Forest.
"If we are able to add, great, if not, we'll carry on. But in my opinion we do need to add." Cooper admitted after the defeat on Saturday.
Recently-promoted Sheffield United travel to the City Ground in Forest's first home game of the season this Friday - a repeat of the 2022 Championship playoff semi-final.
