7-goal EFL midfielder on Nottingham Forest January transfer radar amid Stoke City interest
Thelo Aasgaard of Wigan Athletic is a target for Nottingham Forest, who have been following the Norway Under-21 international in recent weeks in anticipation of the January transfer window.
Alan Nixon claims that the 22-year-old might be purchased for about £3 million. The Forest recruitment team will decide soon whether to make a firm move for the playmaker.
Aasgaard has scored seven goals in 21 games for the Latics so far this season in all competitions, including five goals in 18 League One games and one goal in each of the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
| Thelo Aasgaard’s 2024/25 League One stats | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 18 |
| Starts | 15 |
| Pass accuracy % | 79.2 |
| Chances created | 12 |
| Expected assists (xA) | 0.84 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Shots | 45 |
| Shots on target | 19 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 5.28 |
| Goals | 5 |
He set a career-high nine goals and four assists in 39 appearances across all competitions last season; if he can continue to play well in front of goal and stays for the entire season, he should break that record this season.
In contrast to Blackburn Rovers, whose bid was rejected in the summer, Forest is not the only team interested in Aasgaard. Nixon reported in November that Championship team Stoke City is eager to acquire the skilled midfield player during the midseason transfer window and appears likely to meet Wigan’s demands.
Thelo Aasgaard has potential but may struggle for game-time at Nottingham Forest
Aasgaard’s signing would undoubtedly be a long-term one, and for £3 million, he would undoubtedly be a wise addition in the current market if Nottingham Forest and the Latics are able to reach an agreement for his services during the January transfer window.
However, due to possible concerns about his playing time, the Norway youth international might be hesitant to sign with a Forest team that is presently fighting for a spot in Europe for the upcoming campaign.
Despite being a gifted player who has been a bright spot in League One for an otherwise suffering Latics squad, it is obvious that he would not pose a real threat to Morgan Gibbs-White, Nuno Espirito Santo’s current playmaker, for a starting position.
In contrast to the Tics, where he currently plays every week after rising through their academy ranks, Aasgaard must carefully consider his game time as a developing player before deciding whether to join the Premier League team, where he might not get many minutes.
Sam Tickle, a fellow Wigan academy graduate, declined the chance to join Premier League powerhouse Arsenal because he is Shaun Maloney’s first choice and did not want to be a backup.
Therefore, there is a good likelihood that Aasgaard will follow Tickle’s lead and decide to remain at Brick Community Stadium, where he offers weekly opportunities to showcase his skills.
Nixon’s rumoured £3 million would be a substantial payment for Aasgaard’s services, which would undoubtedly improve the Latics’ financial situation.
However, despite the playmaker’s recent clinical form, Maloney’s team is now suffering in front of goal, so if the 22-year-old leaves the north west to join Forest, it might put them in a severe relegation battle.
With only 15 goals in 18 games, the Latics are only two points above the relegation zone and are the second-lowest scoring team in League One.
Given that Aasgaard has already scored five league goals, Maloney and company would probably be in serious danger if he were to leave during the January transfer window.
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