Nice defender still regrets Forest failure

Then manager Joe Kinnear ran the rule over the Frenchman in 2004 but did not see enough in him to warrant a long-term deal.

Now 24 and playing for Nice in Ligue 1, central defender Fanni has emerged as a wanted man in France, with Marseille keen on a deal.

"I want to play for a bigger club than Nice," Fanni told skysports.com.

"I really love English football and I look at a number of clubs.

"I had a trial period at Nottingham Forest. I was sorry that I wasn't signed because the training sessions were fantastic, and I felt so good."