The club are now ready to sell the £17m star to Tottenham or Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur have now received a major boost in their race to sign the Serie A midfielder ahead of AC Milan this summer.

Nottingham Forest and Tottenham are battling to sign the midfielder

Two sides that narrowly escaped relegation last season, it's no surprise that Nottingham Forest and Tottenham are competing so closely in this summer's transfer window.

Forest will be eager to return to the heights of the 24/25 campaign, when they qualify for the Europa League. They were given a real hard check last season, leading to three managerial changes before Evangelos Marinakis put his full trust in Vitor Pereira.

The Trick Trees are likely to be as busy as ever in the transfer market as they look to rebuild. Rumors have emerged that they may welcome players such as Said El Mala, who has boycotted a move from Brentford.

As for Spurs, they have already stolen the headlines more than once this summer, welcoming Andy Robertson and agreeing a deal to sign Marcos Senesi, who left Bournemouth as a free agent at the end of the season. The Lilywhites aren't done there, though. They are now in the race to get one from Forest and welcome the star midfielder.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, as reported by Sports Witness, Atalanta are now ready to sell Raoul Bellanova to Tottenham or Nottingham Forest instead of AC Milan this summer.

The right-wing midfielder has struggled with injuries over the past 12 months, and the Serie A side have greenlit a €20m (£17m) bid for him – a price Milan will not pay. It gives the two Premier League clubs the opportunity to step in and do what should be a normal deal in the coming months.

£17m Bellanova should choose Forest over Tottenham

Now that Atalanta are ready to sell, the ball is in Bellanova's court. He has to decide whether he will push to stay in Serie A or take a chance on the Premier League. If he chooses the latter, then Nottingham Forest should be his top choice.

Tricky Trees have been crying out for a higher level since the departure of Anthony Elanga and are completely unfamiliar with the talent of Serie A. The opportunity to go up is there for anyone who comes, including Bellanova.

After a difficult year in Italy, where he managed 15 league starts, the versatile right-sided midfielder should meet Pereira at the City Ground.

It is also worth noting that in full eligibility for the 2024/25 campaign, Bellanova managed 11 assists in all competitions. He clearly has quality, even if Atalanta believe that has disappeared through injuries over the past 12 months. For £17m, Forest have to gamble.

Read next: Marinakis wants £35m star to join Nottingham Forest