Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Bologna’s Dan Ndoye has quickly become one of the more intriguing transfer stories of the summer. After selling Anthony Elanga to Newcastle earlier this window, Forest has been looking to reinforce their attacking options. With Elanga’s departure, there was a clear gap in the team’s offensive depth that needed to be filled if they were to mount a strong challenge in the upcoming season. Ndoye, a 24-year-old winger with experience in Italy’s Serie A, seemed like an ideal candidate to slot into that role. His pace, dribbling ability, and versatility in attack made him a promising prospect for Forest’s manager, Steve Cooper, who was desperate to find a like-for-like replacement for the Swedish international.
Nottingham Forest, with their sights set on a top-half finish this season, made no secret of their intent to land Ndoye. The timing of their interest was critical, as Napoli—another Serie A club with significant ambition—was also vying for the Swiss international’s signature. The Reds made their move and reportedly bid for Ndoye, putting themselves in direct competition with the Neapolitans. This set the stage for a high-stakes transfer chase, and Forest fans were excited about the prospect of securing the highly-rated winger’s services.
Reports suggested that Ndoye himself was keen on the move, as he had already agreed to personal terms with Forest. That, of course, was a positive sign for the club, as it suggested that the player was on board with the move to England. However, the deal was not yet completed. At this stage, it was all about negotiating a transfer fee with Bologna, and this was where the situation could become complicated. The longer the transfer dragged on, the more likely it was that Napoli or another interested club could swoop in and hijack the deal. Forest knew that speed was of the essence if they were to land Ndoye and prevent him from slipping away.
The anticipation around Ndoye’s potential move reached new heights when he played for Bologna in a pre-season friendly against Virtus Verona. With the transfer negotiations intensifying, fans were eager to see how the Swiss winger would perform in the match. This was his chance to show why Forest were so eager to secure his services, and naturally, the eyes of Nottingham Forest supporters were firmly fixed on the game.
Unfortunately for both the player and the club, the friendly quickly took an unexpected turn. Just 20 seconds into the match, Ndoye found himself on the receiving end of a heavy challenge. It wasn’t long before it became clear that he was in some discomfort. The winger tried to carry on, but just minutes later, he had to leave the pitch. The sight of Ndoye limping off after only four minutes was a major blow for Forest fans who had hoped to see him get some good minutes under his belt in a key pre-season outing.
The injury, which appeared to be a twisted ankle, raised immediate concerns about the timeline of the transfer. The club and fans had been hoping to wrap up the deal as soon as possible, but with Ndoye’s injury, it now became uncertain whether Forest would be able to complete the deal in time for the new season. Given the growing competition from Napoli, it became even more crucial for Forest to act quickly, but they now faced a dilemma—could they afford to push ahead with the deal if Ndoye’s fitness was in question?
While Ndoye’s injury sent a wave of anxiety through the Forest camp, there was a slight silver lining. The good news was that Ndoye was able to walk off the pitch on his own. It wasn’t a situation where he needed to be stretchered off, which suggested that the injury might not be as severe as initially feared. Bologna’s coach, Vincenzo Italiano, downplayed the injury in his post-match comments, stating that Ndoye had simply twisted his ankle and that it was better not to take any risks in a friendly. Italiano was hopeful that it wouldn’t be anything serious and emphasized that it was not ideal to miss training during pre-season, but he remained optimistic that Ndoye’s discomfort would be short-lived. That offered some reassurance to Forest, who were anxiously awaiting any updates on the player’s condition.
The incident, however, raised several important questions for the club as they moved forward with the deal. For one, the timeline of the injury would now become a crucial factor in determining whether Forest would be able to complete the transfer before the start of the new season. The fact that Ndoye had agreed to personal terms with the club was a positive sign, but it was clear that Forest would need to tread carefully in the coming days. Even a minor injury setback could lead to significant delays, as the club would need to wait for further medical assessments before proceeding with the transfer.
Additionally, if the injury was more serious than expected, Forest might need to reconsider their approach to the transfer altogether. A prolonged absence for Ndoye could cause Forest to look for alternative options in the transfer market. Though Ndoye had impressed in Serie A with Bologna, particularly in his ability to take on defenders and create chances for his teammates, the club could not afford to gamble on a player who might miss a significant portion of the season. With the start of the Premier League season just around the corner, Forest would need a replacement for Elanga as soon as possible. If Ndoye’s recovery took longer than anticipated, Forest might be forced to pivot and turn their attention to other targets.
On the other hand, if the injury proves to be a minor setback, and Ndoye is back on the pitch in a matter of days, Forest would likely push ahead with the deal. In that case, the transfer could be completed quickly, and Forest would have a talented new addition to their squad for the start of the new season.
From Bologna’s perspective, they would no doubt be hoping that the injury is nothing more than a minor inconvenience, as they too are invested in the transfer. Bologna’s decision to entertain offers for Ndoye suggests that they are ready to move on from the player, and they would likely want to avoid any complications that could derail the deal. However, the financial aspects of the deal, including agreeing on a transfer fee with Forest, still need to be sorted, and this injury might slow things down even further.
For Forest, the situation is certainly a delicate one. They are determined to land Ndoye, who they believe could be a key player in their quest for a successful season. His direct style of play, pace, and ability to create in the final third make him an ideal fit for Cooper’s tactics, and many supporters are hopeful that the Swiss international can make an immediate impact. However, with the injury now casting a shadow over the transfer, it remains to be seen whether Forest will be able to proceed with the deal as planned, or if they will need to reassess their options in the face of an uncertain injury situation.
Ultimately, the key to the situation lies in the nature and extent of Ndoye’s injury. If it proves to be a minor issue, Forest could move quickly to secure their man and get him integrated into the squad before the season starts. But if the injury is more serious, it may lead to significant delays and force Forest to look elsewhere. The coming days will likely determine whether Forest can bring Ndoye to the City Ground in time for the new campaign, or whether they will have to rework their transfer plans altogether. In the meantime, both Forest and their fans will be hoping for some positive news on the injury front, as they continue to keep their fingers crossed for a successful conclusion to the transfer saga.