The Collapse of Danilo’s Lyon Move Could Reshape Nottingham Forest’s Summer—and Cost Them Yunus Musah
Nottingham Forest are entering a critical phase in their summer transfer window, and one deal — or lack thereof — could end up having a cascading impact across their entire recruitment strategy. The proposed £20 million sale of midfielder Danilo to Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais now appears to be collapsing due to the French club’s ongoing financial struggles. On the surface, it’s just a failed outgoing transfer. But peel back the layers, and it’s a potentially massive setback for Forest’s broader ambitions — especially with the club keen to bring in AC Milan’s Yunus Musah, a player whose profile matches exactly what manager Nuno Espírito Santo is looking for.
The real issue isn’t just the collapse of one deal. It’s what that deal could have facilitated: a carefully planned and well-suited upgrade in midfield that could give Forest a far more dynamic identity heading into the 2025–26 Premier League season. Without the funds from Danilo’s sale, Forest may find themselves blocked in their pursuit of Musah — a player whose qualities could transform the way the team plays and give them new tactical flexibility.
Danilo’s Sale: A Strategic Move Gone Sideways
Danilo’s potential move to Lyon was never viewed as a fire sale or a sign of panic. In fact, many supporters saw it as smart business. Signed from Palmeiras in January 2023 for around £16 million, the Brazilian has shown glimpses of his talent but hasn’t nailed down a consistent starting spot or delivered performances that separated him from Forest’s other midfielders. In a squad already stacked with defensive-minded central midfielders — such as Cheikhou Kouyaté, Orel Mangala, and Ibrahim Sangaré — Danilo became somewhat redundant.
Selling him for a reported £20 million would have represented a tidy profit and allowed the club to reinvest that money in more urgently needed areas. It was a logical piece of business — the kind of squad evolution that ambitious, forward-thinking clubs make to stay competitive while balancing financial responsibility.
But Lyon’s financial situation has reportedly become a major roadblock. The club is believed to be under restrictions due to DNCG (French financial watchdog) sanctions and may not be able to complete the transfer. As a result, Danilo is now being linked with a loan move to La Liga side Real Betis — a move that, while offering him game time, brings in no immediate funds for Forest.
That loss of a £20 million windfall couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Why Musah Was More Than Just a Replacement
Enter Yunus Musah — a player who, on paper and on the pitch, offers exactly what Danilo does not. The American international, still just 21 years old, has made a name for himself as a high-energy, technically gifted, and versatile midfielder. After spending four years at Valencia and earning a move to AC Milan, Musah has developed into a more refined and tactically flexible player, capable of playing both centrally and in wider positions.
Forest’s interest in Musah is no accident. According to reports, the club has opened talks with AC Milan over a deal for the USMNT star, who is reportedly available for around £20 million — coincidentally, the same amount that Lyon were set to pay for Danilo. That makes the collapsed deal feel even more costly, as the perfect financial and tactical swap is slipping through Forest’s fingers.
Musah would offer something Forest sorely lacked last season: vertical progression. His ability to carry the ball forward from deep midfield positions, beat players in 1v1s, and link defense with attack makes him a rare commodity in the current Forest setup. His numbers for progressive carries, successful dribbles, and forward passes place him among the top midfielders in Europe for his age group. Crucially, he’s not just energetic — he’s effective.
At times last season, Forest lacked a midfielder capable of driving the team forward, forcing Morgan Gibbs-White to drop too deep to get on the ball. This robbed Forest of their most creative player in advanced positions. Musah’s arrival would allow Gibbs-White to operate further up the pitch, where he can do the most damage.
A Versatile Player for a Flexible System
What makes Musah even more appealing to Nuno Espírito Santo is his versatility. He has played in multiple roles for both club and country: central midfield, attacking midfield, and even right wing. This flexibility would be invaluable for Forest, who at times last season had to stretch their tactical identity to cover for injuries and inconsistency.
With Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi both showing flashes of brilliance but also struggling for consistency and fitness, Forest often found themselves forced into makeshift wide roles for players better suited to central areas. Musah’s ability to play as a right-sided midfielder or winger would allow Nuno to field a more balanced side, without compromising the team’s shape or defensive stability.
In tactical terms, Musah fits Nuno’s preferred style like a glove. The manager likes to play with compact midfield lines and quick transitions — areas where Musah thrives. His work rate, ability to recover defensively, and skill in one-on-one duels would allow Forest to press more aggressively and play with greater energy in the middle of the pitch.
Forest’s Financial Balancing Act
The elephant in the room, of course, is money. The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) are forcing clubs to be more calculated than ever in their spending. Forest, like many mid-table clubs, have to make tough choices: if you want to buy, you need to sell.
Danilo’s sale was the linchpin that would have made the Musah move possible. Without it, Forest may be forced to:
Offload another saleable asset, such as Orel Mangala or Willy Boly,
Push for a loan-to-buy deal with AC Milan, possibly involving performance-related clauses or obligations to buy based on appearances,
Or pivot to a cheaper, less experienced target — one that may not offer the same immediate impact or long-term upside.
All three options carry risk. Selling another key player may unbalance the squad. A complicated loan deal may not satisfy Milan’s desire for a clean sale. And finding a player of Musah’s quality for a lower price is no easy task.
A Critical Window for Forest’s Future
The 2025–26 campaign is shaping up to be a defining one for Nottingham Forest. After stabilizing in the Premier League, the club now faces the next challenge: climbing the table and establishing itself as a mid-table mainstay rather than a perennial relegation battler. That won’t happen without smart recruitment and proactive planning — and the Danilo-Musah situation shows just how fragile those plans can be.
Nuno Espírito Santo has a clear vision: dynamic, flexible football that mixes solidity with speed. Musah is a player who fits that vision perfectly. But unless Forest can move swiftly and decisively to either salvage the funds from Danilo’s departure or find an alternate solution, the opportunity to bring in a difference-maker could be lost.
Transfers aren’t made in isolation. Each sale and purchase is part of a larger puzzle. And right now, Forest’s puzzle is missing a key piece — and time is running out to find it.
Conclusion: A Summer That Could Define Forest’s Trajectory
At first glance, Danilo’s failed transfer to Lyon might seem like a relatively minor hiccup. But in reality, it’s a potentially pivotal moment in Nottingham Forest’s summer. What was meant to be a smooth financial and tactical transition — Danilo out, Musah in — is now hanging in the balance.
And unless Forest can act fast, they may find themselves stuck with a surplus of defensive midfielders and still lacking the kind of player who can carry them into the next phase of their Premier League journey.
Musah is more than just a target. He’s a statement. Losing out on him would say just as much — and not in the way Forest fans are hoping for.