Nottingham Forest and the Georges Mikautadze Chase: A Defining Move in a Crucial Summer Window
Nottingham Forest are preparing for what could be one of the most important transfer windows in the club’s modern Premier League history. After narrowly avoiding relegation in the 2024/25 season, Forest — under the guidance of manager Nuno Espírito Santo — are looking to reshape and reinforce their squad, particularly in attacking areas where inconsistency and injuries plagued the team throughout the previous campaign.
With Brazilian striker Igor Jesus expected to be unveiled shortly, and veteran Chris Wood still playing a role as an experienced target man, the focus is now shifting toward a more dynamic and versatile forward — someone who can elevate Forest’s offensive threat and bring a new dimension to their game.
That search has led Forest to Georges Mikautadze, the 24-year-old Georgian international currently on the books at Olympique Lyonnais. Mikautadze had a standout season in Ligue 1, registering 11 goals and 6 assists in 34 appearances, drawing the attention of clubs across Europe — including, most notably, Forest.
But while Mikautadze ticks virtually every box Forest would want in a signing, the situation is far from straightforward. The collapse of ownership stability at Lyon, particularly the departure of former shareholder John Textor, has thrown a potential wrench into negotiations. Textor had previously enjoyed a strong working relationship with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, and his exit could significantly impact Forest’s ability to structure and smooth over a deal.
However, with Lyon’s financial situation becoming increasingly unstable, there may still be a window of opportunity — and Forest must now decide whether to act swiftly to seize it, or risk losing out on a player who could be pivotal to their attacking rebuild.
Mikautadze: A Forward on the Rise
Born in Lyon to Georgian parents, Georges Mikautadze began his career at FC Metz, where his development caught the attention of scouts across Europe. A loan spell at Belgian side Seraing helped him mature both physically and technically, and his return to Ligue 1 marked the beginning of his breakout.
After brief stints with Metz and Ajax, Mikautadze landed back in France with Lyon, where his 2024/25 season became his most complete campaign yet. He emerged not just as a scorer, but as a link-up player, a presser, and a leader in the final third.
Standing at 5’9”, Mikautadze is not a classic target man, but his movement, intelligence, and finishing ability more than make up for his lack of height. He excels in tight spaces, often dropping deep to receive the ball and combining with midfielders before surging into the box. He’s capable of operating across the forward line, making him an ideal fit for Nuno’s rotating, interchangeable front three system.
Nottingham Forest’s Need for Attacking Reinforcements
In the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, Forest managed just 39 goals — among the lowest totals in the league. Despite some standout performances from Morgan Gibbs-White, Forest too often lacked penetration and end-product, particularly in away matches where the side tended to drop deeper and rely on transitions.
While Chris Wood contributed important goals, his playing style is limited, and at 33, his long-term future is uncertain. The addition of Igor Jesus, a more mobile and creative striker from the Brazilian league, signals a clear shift in strategy — toward a younger, more technically proficient forward line.
However, Jesus is still an unknown quantity at the Premier League level. To complement him, Forest need a proven European performer, someone who has already demonstrated consistency in a top league and can handle both the physical and tactical demands of English football. Mikautadze appears to be that exact profile.
His age (24), his track record in France and Belgium, and his style — combining quick feet, agility, and finishing ability — could bring a new attacking dimension to the team. Unlike Wood or Jesus, Mikautadze is capable of playing as a false nine, as a second striker, or on either wing. That flexibility makes him an ideal asset in the fluid, pressing-based system Nuno is working to install at Forest.
The Complicating Factor: John Textor’s Departure from Lyon
A key obstacle that now threatens Forest’s pursuit of Mikautadze lies not with the player himself, but with the instability at his current club. Lyon are in a state of disarray, both financially and organizationally.
John Textor, who had overseen operations at Lyon through his company Eagle Football Holdings, has officially stepped down from the club — and also from his involvement with Crystal Palace. His departure leaves Lyon in limbo, with the club awaiting the outcome of a critical appeal that will determine whether or not they remain in Ligue 1 for the upcoming season. Relegation could have dire consequences for the club’s financial health, forcing a number of sales just to remain solvent.
In recent years, the connection between Textor and Marinakis facilitated several deals between Forest and Lyon — most notably the transfers of Moussa Niakhate and Orel Mangala, which not only helped Lyon bolster their squad, but also allowed Forest to balance the books and remain within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Now, with that relationship severed, Forest may find themselves on the outside looking in, with less leverage and fewer personal connections at the negotiating table. Moreover, if Lyon’s financial troubles prompt a fire sale, they may opt to sell Mikautadze to the highest bidder — opening the door for rival clubs across Europe to swoop in.
Market Competition: Other Clubs Circling
Forest are not alone in their admiration of Mikautadze. Reports suggest that several clubs in Italy, Germany, and Spain are monitoring the situation closely. His performances for Georgia in international fixtures, combined with his club form, have significantly raised his profile. With Lyon potentially forced to offload players quickly, an auction-like situation could arise — something Forest may struggle to compete with financially if the fee climbs too high.
Still, Forest do hold one advantage: they can offer Premier League football, a stable project under Nuno Espírito Santo, and the chance to be a central figure in a team aiming to climb the table. At Forest, Mikautadze wouldn’t be just another forward — he’d likely be a guaranteed starter, and a player the team would be built around.
How Mikautadze Would Fit at Forest
From a tactical standpoint, Mikautadze could slot into several positions at Forest. If Nuno continues to use a 4-3-3 or 3-4-2-1 formation, the Georgian could:
Lead the line as a mobile central striker;
Play just off the No. 9 in a dual-striker system;
Operate as an inverted winger, cutting in from the left or right to shoot or link up with Gibbs-White.
His high work rate also fits with Forest’s pressing philosophy, particularly in games where they look to disrupt opponents high up the pitch. Statistically, Mikautadze averaged 2.1 key passes per 90 minutes and had a shot conversion rate of over 18%, making him not just a scorer but a creative force as well.
His partnership with Morgan Gibbs-White, who often drifts into central areas to create overloads, could be particularly fruitful. With Mikautadze drawing defenders and linking play, Gibbs-White would have more freedom to exploit space and make late runs into the box.
The Time to Strike Is Now
Forest must now decide: do they move quickly to try to land Mikautadze before other clubs get involved, or do they bide their time and risk losing out? The answer seems clear.
Lyon’s current instability may, paradoxically, offer Forest their best chance. The club is in desperate need of liquidity, and a swift, cash-heavy offer — even if slightly below market value — could be enough to get a deal over the line. Forest have shown they’re willing to spend when the right opportunity arises, and Mikautadze represents both a short- and long-term investment that aligns with the club’s ambition to consolidate Premier League status and eventually push for a mid-table finish or better.
Waiting too long could see Forest lose out not only to bigger clubs but also to those more agile in the market. In today’s footballing climate, hesitation often proves costly.
Conclusion: A Defining Transfer in the Making?
The chase for Georges Mikautadze could become one of the most significant moves of Nottingham Forest’s summer window — not just in terms of financial outlay, but in shaping the club’s footballing identity.
He is young, hungry, technically refined, and versatile — the kind of player Forest fans have long hoped would arrive to transform their attacking threat. In a squad that still needs clarity and consistency in the final third, Mikautadze could be the difference between another survival scrap and a more comfortable season.
But Forest must act fast. The market is heating up, and Lyon’s situation is evolving by the day. If Mikautadze is truly a target, the club should do everything in its power to get the deal done — with or without John Textor at the other end of the negotiating table.