Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Dan Ndoye is rapidly becoming one of the most captivating and closely-watched transfer sagas of the summer. With the club’s departure of Anthony Elanga, a crucial player who contributed 18 goal contributions for Forest during his time at the club, it has become abundantly clear that the Reds need to find a player who can fill the void left by the Swede’s departure. Replacing Elanga was never going to be an easy task, given his ability to stretch defences, create chances, and his considerable pace that made him a nightmare for defenders. However, as the days pass and negotiations continue, Forest appear to have set their sights on a replacement they believe will bring even more to the table—Dan Ndoye.

Forest’s initial offer to Bologna for Ndoye, reportedly around £27 million, was promptly rejected, as the Italian side values the winger at around £40 million. While this may have initially seemed like a setback for Forest, it has sparked what seems to be a broader auction for the player, with multiple suitors in the mix. The most notable of these has been Italian champions Napoli, who also submitted a bid for the player. However, their offer, structured as an initial loan with an obligation to buy, was not deemed acceptable by Bologna, who clearly hold a strong negotiating position and are unwilling to let Ndoye leave for less than their asking price.

While Napoli remain interested, it is unlikely they will match Bologna’s £40 million valuation, which has now put Forest in a prime position to re-enter the bidding with a more competitive offer. Despite Napoli’s interest and their track record of success in Serie A, Forest’s situation is particularly compelling. The Reds are in need of an immediate replacement for Elanga, and it seems they are prepared to continue pushing hard to secure Ndoye’s signature. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Forest are set to make another offer next week, one that they hope will force Bologna’s hand and either lead them to accept the bid outright or get close enough to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

A truly remarkable element of this transfer saga has been Bologna’s decision to pull out all the stops to try and convince Ndoye to stay. In an attempt to entice him, Bologna invited an Italian pop star to serenade Ndoye in an unusual and frankly bizarre attempt to sway his decision. While this tactic might raise eyebrows, it is unlikely to have any serious impact on the player’s decision-making process. Ndoye’s reported willingness to make the move to Forest suggests that his mind is already made up, and that Bologna’s efforts to retain him will not prevent his transfer to the Premier League.

Given the urgency with which Forest are moving in the market, it’s clear that the club is putting a significant amount of faith in Ndoye to be the right player to replace Elanga. The length of the pursuit—combined with the resources Forest are willing to allocate in their bid to bring him to the City Ground—signals a real belief that Ndoye is a key piece for their immediate future. But with the bidding war now entering its critical phase, one must ask: What exactly makes Dan Ndoye the ideal candidate to fill Elanga’s shoes, and why are Forest so determined to secure his services?

At first glance, it might seem like a direct replacement for Elanga is hard to come by. After all, Elanga’s raw pace and directness made him a key outlet for Forest’s counter-attacking style under Nuno Espírito Santo. With 18 goal contributions to his name, Elanga’s ability to stretch defences, run in behind, and link up play was invaluable. But in reality, replacing Elanga’s pace and directness alone is not enough to ensure success—Forest need a player who can not only match but ideally surpass those qualities, and Dan Ndoye appears to be that player.

First and foremost, Ndoye shares one of Elanga’s most important traits: speed. He is incredibly quick, which will enable him to stretch defences and create opportunities on the counter. Much like Elanga, Ndoye’s pace is a major asset when it comes to breaking through opposition lines. However, while Ndoye may not have quite the same explosive acceleration as Elanga, his overall footballing intelligence, ball control, and positioning allow him to be a more consistent and reliable presence on the field.

But what really sets Ndoye apart from Elanga, and what makes him a potentially even more valuable asset to Forest, is his ability to progress the ball in a more effective and structured manner. While Elanga relied primarily on his speed to carry the ball upfield, Ndoye’s vision and ability to pick out progressive passes and make successful carries set him apart. Last season, Ndoye completed more progressive carries and passes than Elanga, indicating that he is not just a player who runs at defences, but someone who can contribute to the buildup play in a more nuanced way. For Forest, who have shown signs of transitioning to a more possession-based style of play, this ability to progress the ball in a more controlled manner could be incredibly valuable.

Ndoye’s greater security in possession further adds to his appeal. While Elanga was often a direct, high-risk, high-reward player, Ndoye is more composed and precise in his decision-making. His pass completion rate is higher than Elanga’s, which would be particularly important if Forest want to move away from a solely counter-attacking system and start dominating possession in games. Ndoye’s higher pass accuracy could help Forest retain the ball in tight spaces and make more meaningful attacks in the final third.

Additionally, Ndoye’s technical ability and footballing IQ could make him a more versatile option for manager Steve Cooper. Elanga, for all his qualities, was somewhat limited in terms of the types of roles he could fill within Forest’s attacking setup. Ndoye, on the other hand, offers more flexibility. His ability to play across various attacking positions, combined with his intelligence off the ball and ability to link up play, means he could fit seamlessly into different tactical setups.

In terms of their individual qualities, Ndoye not only matches but potentially offers more than Elanga in a number of key areas. While Elanga was a constant outlet on the counter-attack, Ndoye brings more balance to the table, with a wider range of passing, better decision-making in possession, and a more composed presence in tight situations. These traits will allow Forest to not only play at a higher tempo when needed but also retain possession and build attacks more patiently, something that could be crucial if Forest are looking to take the next step as a team.

As the transfer window draws to a close, all eyes will be on Bologna and whether Forest’s next bid will be enough to convince them to part ways with their prized winger. Bologna are known to be a tough negotiating team, but with Ndoye reportedly set on a move to the Premier League, it seems Forest’s persistence may soon pay off. If they can meet Bologna’s demands, Dan Ndoye could well be the signing that propels Forest forward into a new era, one where they are more than just a counter-attacking side and can compete for higher honors in the Premier League.

In conclusion, the prospect of Dan Ndoye joining Nottingham Forest offers a thrilling potential for the club. His attributes make him not just a replacement for Elanga, but a potential upgrade in some key areas. His speed, technical ability, composure on the ball, and ability to progress play could see him become a key player for Forest. If Forest can finalize the deal, they could be adding a future star to their ranks—one who offers the qualities that will not only help replace Elanga’s impact but take Forest’s attacking play to new heights.