Nottingham Forest have a clear shift in transfer strategy this summer and it’s made a refreshing change as the club has targeted youthful exuberance over experienced pay-day hunters.
The Reds clearly want to sign younger players with vast potential and significant resale value these days.
As nice as the strategy feels, it is somewhat flawed for a club like Forest as it means the players being hunted typically need more convincing to sign.
With Forest on the hunt for new players, details have now emerged over one player who has rejected the chance to move to the City Ground this summer.
Nottingham Forest made bid for Johan Bakayoko
According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Forest are the only club to make a concrete proposition to Bakayoko this summer.
However, the player knocked the proposal back as he wants to play for a team that will challenge for a title in their domestic league.
Now, PSV are going to try and offer the winger a new deal as they bid to fend off any other interest that could come towards the end of the window.
Bakayoko was a standout performer last summer as PSV defeated Forest in a pre-season friendly and actually scored the winner.
Shortly after that game, Forest managed to prise Ibrahim Sangare away from the club and clearly Bakayoko also made an impression on people behind the scenes at the club.
The 21-year-old has come through the youth ranks at PSV and has claimed 42 goal contributions during 87 appearances.
His 2024/25 campaign got off to a flyer at the weekend as he scored during a 5-1 win for PSV over RKC Waalwijk.
Bakayoko would have been amazing Forest signing
This would have been an amazing transfer if Forest had managed to get a deal over the line, with Bakayoko a top talent.
Romelu Lukaku heaped praise on the youngster last year, calling him ‘incredible’ back in November following international duty.
Bakayoko typically plays on the right flank and it’s good that Forest are at least asking questions about Europe’s top talents – even if they are sometimes out of reach.
It has been claimed that Bakayoko could still leave this summer – although the fact he’s rejected Forest once makes it unlikely that he would reconsider.
Now, the Reds must go back to the drawing board and ensure the squad is well stocked in all departments when the transfer window closes later this month.
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