Nottingham Forest’s Summer Revolution: European Dreams, Juventus Deals & Squad Evolution
In what is shaping up to be a transformative summer for Nottingham Forest, the club is moving with unusual urgency and strategic clarity. After a 2024/25 campaign that started brightly but fizzled out late, Nuno Espirito Santo and the Forest hierarchy are now plotting a new course — one defined not just by Premier League survival, but by European ambition, squad depth, and attacking flair.
With the UEFA Europa Conference League on the horizon and expectations rising under the ownership of Evangelos Marinakis, Forest’s recruitment drive is now in full swing. The first major signs of that shift come in the form of reports from Italy and Spain, which indicate that Forest are on the verge of signing two Juventus attackers: Samuel Mbangulu and Timothy Weah.
If completed, these transfers could represent a symbolic shift in Forest’s recruitment philosophy: away from panic buys and short-term solutions, and toward a more deliberate focus on technical quality, versatility, youth, and long-term value.
Let’s break it all down.
🧭 Recalibrating Ambition: The Nuno-Marinkis Vision
Forest’s ownership group, led by Evangelos Marinakis, has long spoken of the club’s potential to re-establish itself as a force in English and European football. But only now, under Nuno Espirito Santo, does there appear to be a cohesive plan to get there.
Nuno, known for his organizational skills and tactical structure, inherited a Forest team that had been bloated with signings over several transfer windows — many of whom were misaligned with the club’s footballing identity or lacked long-term value. Now, with a clear playing philosophy emerging and European football secured, there’s a serious push to build a well-rounded, competitive squad capable of challenging across multiple competitions.
🏆 The European Factor
Forest’s qualification for the UEFA Conference League — while not as prestigious as the Champions League or Europa League — marks a crucial milestone in the club’s progress. European nights at the City Ground will rekindle memories of past glories and give the squad much-needed exposure to international competition.
But with that comes a significant challenge: squad management.
Forest’s starting XI last season was competitive, but depth issues became painfully apparent as the fixture congestion grew. The team lost momentum, key players burned out, and results suffered. To avoid that fate again, Forest need players who are:
Technically proficient
Tactically versatile
Used to high-level competition
Young enough to grow, but experienced enough to contribute immediately
And that’s where Juventus duo Samuel Mbangulu and Timothy Weah come into the picture.
🇮🇹 A Juventus Double Raid: Mbangulu and Weah on the Radar
📌 Transfer Overview
According to renowned journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Forest are engaged in negotiations with Juventus over two players who fit the new recruitment mold: Samuel Mbangulu and Timothy Weah.
Further reporting by ESPN’s Matteo Moretto states that the two clubs have agreed a combined fee of around £21 million, with only personal terms left to finalize. If confirmed, it would be one of the most ambitious and efficient transfer deals Forest have completed in recent years.
👤 Player Profile: Samuel Mbangulu
Age: 21
Position: Left winger / forward
Nationality: French (with Congolese roots)
Height: 5’10”
Foot: Right
2024/25 Stats:
Appearances: 32
Goals: 4
Assists: 5
Mbangulu is widely regarded as one of Juventus’ most promising attacking products in recent years. Having come through the club’s prestigious youth ranks, he’s already made senior appearances in Serie A and the Champions League, showcasing maturity and skill under pressure.
A natural left winger, Mbangulu is known for:
Electric acceleration and close control
A willingness to take on defenders 1v1
Intelligent movement off the ball
Vision and decision-making in the final third
At just 21, he represents a classic “low-risk, high-reward” signing. He may not be a finished product yet, but he has huge upside — and the Conference League could be the perfect proving ground for him to gain confidence, develop chemistry, and make an impact without the immediate pressure of Premier League expectations.
🔍 Tactical Fit
In Nuno’s system — which often shifts between a 3-4-3, 4-2-3-1, and 4-3-3 — Mbangulu would slot naturally into the left forward or inside-left channel role. His presence would allow Forest to rotate with players like Callum Hudson-Odoi or Morgan Gibbs-White, preserving fitness and adding unpredictability.
👤 Player Profile: Timothy Weah
Age: 25
Position: Right winger / utility wide player
Nationality: USA (son of George Weah, 1995 Ballon d’Or winner)
Height: 6’0”
Foot: Right
2024/25 Stats:
Appearances: 38
Goals: 6
Assists: 5
Weah is the more experienced and well-known of the two. While some may see him as riding on his father’s legacy, Timothy has built his own strong CV, playing for major clubs across France, Scotland, and Italy.
He’s a versatile, athletic, and disciplined wide player who thrives in structured systems — exactly the type Nuno builds. Though he primarily plays as a right winger, Weah has been deployed at:
Left wing
Central striker
Right wing-back
Inside forward roles in narrow formations
His work rate, physical endurance, and defensive commitment make him an ideal player for high-tempo, counter-attacking football — which has been one of Forest’s tactical trademarks under Nuno.
📸 Legacy and Motivation
Weah also brings a certain aura. His father, George Weah, was one of the greatest African footballers of all time. And even Pele once congratulated Timothy personally on a goal scored for the USA at the 2022 World Cup, calling it “a beautiful goal” and encouraging him to “keep dreaming.”
This psychological edge — a blend of humility, ambition, and pressure — could help Weah thrive in a competitive Premier League environment where expectations are rising.
💷 Financial Sense: Value for Money?
At a reported £21 million for both players, Forest would be securing:
A young, high-upside forward (Mbangulu)
An experienced, tactically flexible international (Weah)
Both from one of Europe’s top clubs (Juventus)
With Champions League and international experience
For roughly the price of one mid-tier Premier League player
In today’s inflated market, that’s incredible value — and it shows that Forest are learning from past mistakes in the transfer market, targeting smarter, more strategic acquisitions rather than overpaying for Premier League-proven players without upside.
🔮 What It Means for the 2025/26 Season
If the deals for Mbangulu and Weah are completed, and with Igor Jesus also reportedly close to joining, Forest’s attacking unit suddenly looks deeper, faster, and more unpredictable.
🧠 Tactical Depth
Weah and Mbangulu give Nuno flexibility to change shape mid-game
More rest for key players like Hudson-Odoi, Elanga, and Gibbs-White
Improved transitions and counter-attacking threat
Wider options in European rotation, especially during midweek fixtures
🏟 European Nights at the City Ground
The Europa Conference League will test Forest’s depth — and both players have experience in European competitions. Weah has played in multiple UEFA tournaments, while Mbangulu has featured in Juventus’ Champions League squad.
That experience will be invaluable as Forest look to navigate group stages, knockout fixtures, and potentially even progress deep into the tournament — all while maintaining league form.
✍️ Final Thoughts: A Club on the Rise
There was a time not long ago when Nottingham Forest’s return to the Premier League felt like a brief fairytale. But these transfers suggest something far more serious: Forest are here to stay, and they’re building the infrastructure, squad, and mentality to become a genuine force.
The pursuit of Samuel Mbangulu and Timothy Weah reflects a club:
Moving away from chaotic recruitment
Thinking long-term
Building an identity rooted in smart signings, youth development, and European exposure
If these deals are finalized and followed up by other smart additions in midfield and defense, Forest could enter 2025/26 not just as Premier League survivors — but as one of the league’s rising teams to watch.