Nottingham Forest have endured a few turbulent times during the summer transfer window.
Anthony Elanga signed for Newcastle earlier this month, with Forest recouping a club record transfer in the region of £60 million.
When he was sold, it left a big void, with Forest now moving to sign Dan Ndoye ahead of Napoli, who pushed hard to land the Swiss performer.
The Bologna player wasn’t considered the first choice, however, with Johan Bakayoko wanted by Forest in the immediate aftermath of Elanga leaving.
That move went south, and now the reasons why he ended up at RB Leipzig have now been explained.
Why Nottingham Forest didn’t sign Johan Bakayoko
There was uproar when the Reds chose not to make a £17 million purchase to land Bakayoko from PSV shortly after Elanga moved to Newcastle.
The player instead moved to RB Leipzig, which proved surprising given that they won’t be operating in Europe next season.
Now, according to The Telegraph, it was Nuno Espirito Santo who curtailed the interest in the Belgian.
The Forest head coach had reservations about Bakayoko and his ability to adapt to the Premier League as quickly as other players.
Instead, the club have decided to bring Ndoye on the recommendation of Espirito Santo, with that deal now close to completion.
Forest right to go for Ndoye
In a few years, the decision not to sign Bakayoko might look a little foolish, however, in the here and now, Forest needed to get Ndoye.
The Switzerland international has cost more money, but he’s got a better pedigree, operating in Serie A, the Champions League and winning the Coppa Italia.
Ndoye is more of a plug-and-play alternative to Elanga and that should bode well for Forest this season.
Bakayoko moving elsewhere angered the fans a little bit but hopefully, Ndoye can come in, make an immediate impact and justify the decision taken by Espirito Santo.
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