Nottingham Forest are reportedly going head-to-head with Premier League rivals Aston Villa in an attempt to sign right-back Saud Abdulhamid.

Right-back Abdulhamid, aged 24, has been catching the eye as a key player for all-conquering Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, crowned champions with 31 wins and three draws in their 34 games this season. He starred for Saudi Arabia at the 2022 World Cup too and helped his club side reach the Asian Champions League semi-finals.

But he has 12 months left on his contract and it is claimed he is keen to realise his career dream and make a move to Europe. There has apparently been an approach from Toulouse and TeamTalk now say that Forest and Villa are among the clubs trying to snaffle a deal this summer.

Al-Hilal are "open to letting" the defender leave as talks about renewing his contract "are not yet in the hot stage".

They are one of the clubs in the Saudi Pro League which are 75 per cent owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which has an 80 per cent stake in Newcastle United.

His teammates include former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves and ex-Newcastle and Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who will line up against England at the Euros with Serbia.

Nuno Espirito Santo used Neco Williams, Serge Aurier, Gonzalo Montiel and Ola Aina at right-back for Forest in the season just finished.

Williams missed the run-in due to injury but, like Aina, can operate on either side and is seen as an important player at the City Ground.

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