Reasons While Ivan Alejo become something of a bad boy in La Liga  This Season

Beating Newcastle United 3-1 on Boxing Day is a huge boost for all connected to Forest and the ideal response after a difficult defeat to Bournemouth.

Nuno will hope to build some momentum now and will have already learned a lot about his squad ahead of the January transfer window.

We now have a new rumour to get stuck into as Marca claim that Forest are interested in signing Cadiz winger Ivan Alejo.

It’s suggested that Nuno wants to bring Alejo to the City Ground in January, so let’s look at the Spaniard and his career to date…

Ivan Alejo, the story so far

Alejo hails from Valladolid and started his career in the ranks of hometown club Real Valladolid before leaving for Atletico Madrid as a teenager.

Alejo spent four years in the Atletico ranks but never made a first-team appearance before heading to Villarreal’s B team in 2015.

A really nomadic period followed as Alejo spent just one year with Villarreal, one year with Alcorcon and one year with Eibar.

Next up was Getafe, but Alejo made just a handful of appearance and spent his time out on loan at Malaga and Cadiz.

Alejo has finally found a home with Cadiz, turning his loan move permanent in 2020 and becoming an important player.

Now 28, Alejo has bagged two assists this season but has become something of a bad boy in La Liga having already racked up 10 yellow cards this season.

Ivan Alejo, what they say

“You do good things and others that I don’t like so much. He is too loud when he is fouled. He has to be calmer and do things more naturally. But he is giving us and he has things that others don’t have, like strength, speed and hitting the ball. Let’s see if we take away the nonsense he has and take advantage of all the good things he has,” – Alejo’s former Eibar boss Jose Luis Mendilibar, 2017.

“Alejo is a player who pushes his limits but today he was perfect and got his team out of his game,” – Cadiz boss Sergio Gonzalez after Alejo helped beat Villarreal in September 2023.

“Iván Alejo is performing at a spectacular level and plays to the limit of the regulations and that is part of his ability. There are times when they have it pointed out and they exaggerate it too much. It’s part of the charm of him and he’s managing it well,” – Cadiz boss Gonzalez after Alejo’s 10th yellow card of the season last week.

“I assume my fault because I can’t wear so many yellow cards. My way of playing has that impetus, that intensity. I have to do self-criticism. I think I’m having a good season, but I have to improve that,” – Alejo on his poor disciplinary record this season.

Ivan Alejo to Nottingham Forest analysis

We can completely understand Forest looking at wingers to potentially sign during the January transfer window.

Anthony Elanga is shining but Callum Hudson-Odoi’s injury problems mean Forest need to look at other options.

Alejo fits the bill in that regard but we would be surprised to see the Spaniard become a key January target.

A winger who has bounced around a number of Spanish clubs and turns 29 in February doesn’t really feel like the kind of signing Forest would prioritise.

Maybe Alejo is just down the list in case other targets can’t be signed, but his lack of goals this season make us think that he just isn’t the answer for Forest.