🏞️ Nottingham Forest Transfer Strategy Post-Elanga: The Quest for the Right Replacement
Nottingham Forest’s summer transfer window is shaping up to be a pivotal one. With the impending departure of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle United for a reported £52 million, the club is faced with the crucial task of not only replacing an important attacking player but also reinvesting that substantial sum in a way that aligns with their long-term goals. After a challenging but rewarding campaign last season, where they managed to survive in the Premier League with solid performances, Nuno Espírito Santo will want to make sure the club continues to move in the right direction — this time without one of their star wingers.
🔄 The Departure of Anthony Elanga: A Calculated Move
It wasn’t a move that Evangelos Marinakis (Forest’s owner) wanted to make, but ultimately the £52 million fee was too good to turn down. Elanga had shown flashes of brilliance — particularly with his pace, directness, and ability to threaten opposition defences. However, his performances also had inconsistencies. At times, he struggled to fully integrate into Forest’s counter-attacking style, and his output (6 goals, 3 assists last season) was somewhat overshadowed by his potential. The decision to sell Elanga was likely driven by the financial reality of what Forest could do with that windfall — in an era where every transfer fee is closely scrutinized, £52 million for a player of his calibre can be considered excellent business.
For Forest, this windfall allows them to pursue a wider array of players who may have higher ceilings, giving Nuno Espírito Santo the flexibility to mold a team that will not just survive in the Premier League but thrive.
🎯 The Search for Elanga’s Replacement: Bakayoko vs Dibling
The major question for Forest now is: How do they replace Elanga’s output and role? The answer could come in one of two ways: bringing in a more proven player like Johan Bakayoko from PSV Eindhoven or betting big on Tyler Dibling, a highly rated young winger from Southampton who has caught the eye of multiple top clubs.
Let’s break down both options:
- Johan Bakayoko: The Proven Option from the Eredivisie
🧩 Background and Style of Play
Johan Bakayoko is the safer, more conventional choice. The 21-year-old Belgian has established himself as one of the best young wingers in the Eredivisie. He’s been integral to PSV Eindhoven’s success in the Netherlands, contributing to their attacking play with 8 goals and 7 assists last season.
Bakayoko has all the attributes that Forest are likely looking for in an attacking player:
Pace: Like Elanga, he can stretch defenses and provide an outlet on the counter-attack.
Dribbling Ability: He’s comfortable on both wings, capable of cutting inside and taking on defenders with confidence.
Directness: Bakayoko is known for being direct and aggressive in the final third, a style that fits well with Nuno Espírito Santo’s counter-attacking system.
His numbers in the Eredivisie reflect a player who is ready to take on a bigger challenge in one of Europe’s top leagues, and the Premier League would offer him a significant step up in competition. The fact that he is already capped by Belgium at the senior level also speaks to his readiness for top-tier football.
💰 Transfer Fee and Suitability
PSV are reportedly asking for around £35–40 million, which is a reasonable fee for a player of Bakayoko’s quality, especially with his international experience and the fact that he plays in one of Europe’s more competitive leagues. This makes him a potential immediate starter for Forest, bringing quality and experience to the squad while fitting the club’s budget.
Bakayoko’s style of play is very much akin to Elanga’s, meaning the transition would be seamless in terms of how Forest would structure their attack. The fee, although substantial, could represent great value if he continues his development trajectory in the Premier League.
- Tyler Dibling: The Young Star with Sky-High Potential
Now, onto the more exciting — but riskier — prospect: Tyler Dibling. The 19-year-old Southampton winger is a true wildcard and has captured the attention of not just Forest, but also multiple top-flight clubs, including those in the top six.
🌟 Background and Praise
Dibling has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in the Championship. Despite Southampton’s relegation to the second tier, Dibling was a standout performer, showcasing exceptional flair, creativity, and a physical profile that is rare for his age. His former manager, Russell Martin, has gone as far as to say that Dibling is the “most talented player” he has ever worked with, putting him in the same bracket as players like James Maddison and Harry Kane at that age.
Martin’s praise is not something you hear often in football, and it’s evident that Dibling has the ability to develop into a top-class winger. At just 19, he has the potential to be molded into a major Premier League star, and for a club like Forest, who are building for the future, that’s an opportunity that’s hard to ignore.
📊 Stats: Promising but Raw
In terms of output, Dibling’s numbers don’t jump off the page, but his underlying stats are incredibly encouraging. He scored 4 goals and provided 3 assists in a season where Southampton struggled. However, his creativity was evident:
20 chances created — this shows his vision and ability to set up teammates.
45 successful dribbles — placing him in the top 16.5% of all wingers in Europe.
He also won 2 penalties — showing his ability to take on defenders and draw fouls.
While these stats don’t scream instant Premier League stardom, they highlight his potential to thrive in a more structured and attacking system like Forest’s.
💰 The £55 Million Price Tag
Herein lies the big question: Is he worth £55 million?
While the fee is steep for a player with just one full season of Championship football, there is an undeniable allure in signing a player with exceptional talent at such a young age. Dibling could be a player that Nuno Espírito Santo could mold into a long-term asset, someone who, if he hits his ceiling, could be worth significantly more than the £55 million Forest would pay.
This fee would also likely be structured with add-ons, tied to his development and international recognition, making it less of a risk from Forest’s perspective. However, paying £55 million for a player with little Premier League experience is a gamble, one that Forest may only be willing to take if they’re confident in his development under their guidance.
🔮 Forest’s Long-Term Transfer Philosophy: Building for the Future
The bigger picture here is Forest’s long-term transfer philosophy. Marinakis has been a patron of the club’s ambitions, but the signing of young players with high ceilings, like Dibling and Bakayoko, aligns perfectly with Forest’s strategy to build a squad with future resale value.
Forest can see an opportunity in investing in raw talent with the potential to develop into elite Premier League players. If they’re willing to pay high fees for such players now, the long-term benefits could be immense.
Additionally, it gives Nuno Espírito Santo the tools to mold a team not just for the present but for the future, giving them a solid foundation for sustained success in the Premier League.
🚀 What’s Next for Forest?
Expect Forest to be busy in the coming weeks as they look to conclude deals for both Bakayoko and Dibling. If they choose to go with Dibling, it will be a statement of intent, showing they are willing to invest heavily in young talent with an eye on the future.
However, the £55 million fee for Dibling remains a massive hurdle, and it’s likely that Forest will attempt to negotiate with Southampton to lower the asking price. In the end, Forest will need to balance both immediate returns (as in Bakayoko’s case) and long-term potential (as with Dibling).
With the Elanga money burning a hole in their pocket, the next few weeks will tell us how ambitious Forest really want to be. They could strengthen immediately, or they might choose to take a gamble on a player like Dibling, whose ceiling could be as high as any young player in Europe.
🤔 What’s Your Opinion?
Would you prefer Bakayoko as the safer option for the squad’s immediate needs, or do you think Dibling’s potential justifies the risk of a massive investment? Or maybe there are other players you think Forest should look at?