🔴 Dan Ndoye Says Yes to Nottingham Forest – Full Breakdown of Transfer Talks, Injury Update, and What It Means for the Club
As the 2025 summer transfer window enters its final stages, Nottingham Forest are under increasing pressure to strengthen a squad that’s been weakened by high-profile exits. After weeks of speculation, one of their most closely-watched pursuits — Swiss winger Dan Ndoye — has taken a major step forward. The Bologna star has reportedly agreed to personal terms with Forest, and a potential move to the Premier League now hinges on a final agreement between the two clubs.
The news comes as a boost to Forest fans, who have been eagerly awaiting a statement signing this summer — especially with the departure of Anthony Elanga and the potential exit of Morgan Gibbs-White hanging over the club. Yet the journey to land Ndoye hasn’t been without its twists, including a brief injury scare that threatened to complicate proceedings.
This article takes an in-depth look at where the deal stands, what Ndoye could bring to Forest, how fans and the footballing world are reacting, and what this tells us about the direction the club is heading in ahead of a critical Premier League campaign.
✅ Dan Ndoye Says “Yes” to Forest: What We Know
According to multiple reliable sources close to the negotiations, Dan Ndoye has accepted the terms offered by Nottingham Forest and given the club a green light to proceed. This means the 24-year-old is now waiting for Forest and Bologna to agree a transfer fee — the final major hurdle before the deal can be made official.
Ndoye’s interest in joining the Premier League is not new. He’s been tracked by English clubs before, but it appears Forest’s long-standing interest, combined with the promise of regular first-team football, has tipped the scales in their favor.
While Napoli — who will play Champions League football next season — have also expressed interest, Ndoye’s decision to engage with Forest and agree to personal terms suggests he is genuinely invested in the project being built at the City Ground.
😰 Injury Scare in Friendly – But Ndoye Eases Concerns
Just as fans were beginning to celebrate the imminent arrival of a potential new star, a moment of panic swept through social media when Ndoye was forced off just four minutes into a pre-season friendly. While the match was a relatively low-stakes affair, the timing could not have been worse.
Speculation grew rapidly online, with fears ranging from a pulled hamstring to a twisted knee. However, Ndoye himself was quick to break the silence and calm the storm.
Posting on Instagram, the Swiss international reassured fans with a short but powerful message:
“Nothing serious, thanks for the messages.”
Accompanied by a 💪 (flexing bicep) and ⏳ (hourglass) emoji, the post appeared to suggest he would be back soon — and that this injury won’t affect his transfer. Even so, Forest will no doubt conduct their own medical checks before any deal is officially completed, especially as the club cannot afford to make a high-value signing who isn’t fully fit.
🧠 Who is Dan Ndoye? Player Profile & Strengths
For many Premier League fans, Dan Ndoye is still an unfamiliar name. But in Italy and Switzerland, his reputation has grown rapidly over the last few seasons. A product of Lausanne-Sport’s academy, he rose to prominence at Nice in France before moving to Bologna, where he’s become an important figure under manager Thiago Motta.
Here’s a breakdown of what Ndoye brings to the table:
📌 Key Attributes:
Pace & Acceleration – Ndoye is known for his blistering speed down the flanks, able to beat defenders one-on-one and transition quickly on the counter.
Dribbling & Ball Control – He has a direct playing style and isn’t afraid to take risks, often driving toward the byline or cutting inside to shoot.
Tactical Flexibility – Can play on either wing, as a wing-back, and even centrally if needed. This makes him a valuable asset in multiple systems.
Physical Strength – At 6’0″, Ndoye is powerful and holds his own in duels — rare for a winger, and well-suited to the physical nature of English football.
Work Rate – Coaches consistently praise his attitude and defensive effort, making him ideal for high-pressing or compact setups.
🏆 Recent Form:
Club Level: Played 34 games for Bologna in 2024/25, helping them qualify for European competition.
International Level: Featured for Switzerland at UEFA Euro 2024, adding further experience on a major international stage.
He may not yet be a 10-goals-per-season winger, but his ceiling is high, and under the right coaching environment, he has the potential to become one of the Premier League’s surprise breakout stars.
🔁 Replacing Anthony Elanga – Forest’s Biggest Priority
The sale of Anthony Elanga to Newcastle for a whopping £60 million was undoubtedly good business financially, but it created a major problem on the pitch. The Swedish winger was one of Forest’s key contributors last season, and his departure left a gaping hole in their wide areas.
Forest had few natural replacements lined up, and Ndoye has been identified as the closest stylistic match. Though Elanga is more of a classic inverted winger, Ndoye provides similar energy, speed, and width. Importantly, he also brings better defensive discipline — something manager Nuno Espírito Santo is likely to appreciate.
With Forest’s style often relying on quick transitions and wide overloads, Ndoye fits perfectly into the club’s blueprint. He could easily slot into either side of a front three or operate as a wide midfielder in a 4-4-2 or 3-4-3 shape.
🕰️ The Clock is Ticking – Napoli Circling
One issue Forest cannot ignore is the growing interest from Napoli. The Italian club has long admired Ndoye and reportedly made contact with Bologna as well. Given their Champions League status, Napoli’s offer will be tempting for any player.
That makes this moment crucial for Forest. With personal terms agreed, they are in a strong position — but if negotiations over a fee drag on, the player’s head could be turned. Forest must strike quickly, agree a fee, and bring the player into pre-season training before the window’s final weeks descend into chaos.
The rumored asking price is around £18–22 million, which is well within Forest’s budget after recent outgoings. With the financial firepower from the Elanga sale and potential further funds from Gibbs-White, there’s no excuse for hesitancy now.
🧱 The Bigger Picture – Forest’s Summer Strategy
This transfer is about more than just signing a replacement winger. It’s a signal of intent from a club that wants to remain a Premier League fixture and move beyond simply avoiding relegation. But to do that, Forest’s recruitment strategy must be proactive, not reactive.
So far, the summer window has been sluggish from a Forest perspective. While departures have created financial flexibility, a lack of incoming players has left fans anxious. Here are the areas Forest still need to address:
🔍 Other Priorities:
A replacement (or backup) for Gibbs-White, should he depart.
A second winger or creative forward to share the load with Ndoye.
A new central midfielder, ideally with ball progression qualities.
Reinforcements at full-back, particularly on the left.
Centre-back depth, with at least one experienced leader needed.
The Ndoye deal could be the catalyst that opens the door for a more active second half of the window. If Forest can land him and follow it up with two or three more quality additions, fans can begin to dream of a much more stable 2025/26 season.
💬 Fan Reaction – Relief, Caution, and Hope
Across social media, Forest fans have met the news with cautious optimism. Some were nervous after seeing Ndoye limp off the pitch this week, but most were reassured by his post and excited by what his arrival could mean.
Here’s a quick sample of fan sentiment:
“Ndoye is EXACTLY the kind of player we need. Fast, physical, experienced at a high level. Get it done, Forest!”
– @NFFC_Talk“Can’t believe we’re still dragging this deal out with Napoli lurking. Hope the club knows what it’s doing.”
– @RedsideRant“Elanga gone. MGW next? We’re running out of time to rebuild. Ndoye would be a start. We need three more after him.”
– @TrickyTreesForever
🔚 Final Thoughts – Forest Must Finish the Job
The agreement of personal terms is a major step forward, and the injury scare appears to be minor. Now, Nottingham Forest must do what all well-run clubs do — finish the job.
Dan Ndoye is young, talented, and ready to take the next step in his career. Forest can offer him the Premier League, a clear role in the starting XI, and the chance to grow into a leader in their next phase.
But time is running out. The squad remains thin, and with