The so-called rivalry between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City has always been a strange one, mostly because it feels entirely one-sided. Forest’s true rivalry has always been with Derby County. That hatred has been cemented over decades of fierce battles, managerial crossovers, and shared animosity. The Brian Clough Derby, as it’s often called, carries the weight of history. It’s a rivalry built on more than just geography—it’s about footballing culture, identity, and a genuine sense of dislike that neither set of fans tries to downplay.

Leicester, meanwhile, have always seemed eager to create a rivalry with Forest, but the feeling has never really been mutual. While Leicester supporters see Forest as their main enemy, fans at the City Ground don’t view it the same way. There’s more of a feeling of indifference, maybe even condescension at times, toward Leicester’s attempts to push this rivalry into something greater than it is.

This was on full display when the two sides met in October. For Leicester, it was a huge occasion—the kind of match their fans had been desperate to win. For Forest, it was just another game in a long season. Yet, when the final whistle blew, it was Forest celebrating a comfortable 3-1 victory, and their supporters were chanting the name of Steve Cooper, the man who had led them back to the Premier League. It must have stung for Leicester fans, who saw the fixture as their chance to assert dominance, only to be brushed aside by a team that barely considered them rivals in the first place.

That said, Leicester do deserve credit for their achievements over the past decade. Their story is one of the most remarkable in modern football. Their Premier League triumph in 2016 is something that may never be repeated—a fairy-tale season that stunned the footballing world. They even made it to the Champions League quarter-finals, putting in a respectable run in Europe’s elite competition.

Yet, while Leicester were riding high, Forest were stuck in the Championship, waiting for their return to the top flight. That finally happened in 2022 when Steve Cooper guided them to promotion. At the same time, Leicester were trying to bolster their squad, and one of the midfielders they had their eye on was Ibrahim Sangare.

The Ibrahim Sangare Saga

Sangare was one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe at the time. He had been a dominant force at PSV Eindhoven, showcasing his strength, defensive abilities, and ability to control games from midfield. Naturally, plenty of big clubs were linked with him. Bayern Munich and PSG reportedly inquired about his availability. Liverpool were also watching him closely, long before he ended up at Nottingham Forest.

Leicester, however, were also interested, and that’s where things took a turn. The mere idea of Sangare joining Leicester was openly mocked by a PSV figure. Aad de Mos, a former manager who had worked with PSV, Ajax, and Werder Bremen, didn’t hold back when asked about the possibility of Leicester signing the midfielder.

“Ibrahim Sangare is better on one leg than Leicester’s entire midfield. He is extraordinary. This season, he has been the king of PSV. You only miss Sangare when he’s not playing. Sangare isn’t just right for Leicester. He can easily keep up at an even higher club. He could easily play for Tottenham and certainly Arsenal. Sangare is a great player. I think £30m is a good price. It’s a bargain.”

It was a ruthless assessment but one that showed just how highly Sangare was regarded in European football. The idea of him playing for Leicester wasn’t even entertained—he was seen as a level above.

In the end, Leicester never got him. Instead, he stayed at PSV for another year before Nottingham Forest swooped in to sign him for £30 million in the summer of 2023. Given the interest from top European clubs, it was a huge coup for Forest. But as we’ve seen many times before, a big transfer fee doesn’t always guarantee success.

Sangare’s Struggles at Nottingham Forest

Sangare arrived at the City Ground with high expectations, but his time in the Premier League hasn’t gone according to plan so far. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued his first 18 months at the club, preventing him from fully settling into the team.

At the start of the 2024/25 season, there were signs that he was finally finding his feet. He played the first four league games and led the Premier League in tackles, showing the kind of dominant midfield presence that Forest had been hoping for. But just as things were clicking, he suffered a hamstring injury that ruled him out until the New Year.

Since returning, he has struggled to regain his place as an undisputed starter under Nuno Espírito Santo. He has been used more as a squad player rather than a key figure in the midfield. This isn’t what Forest fans expected when the club splashed £30m on him. They wanted a game-changer—a midfielder who could anchor the team and dominate the opposition. Instead, they’ve had a player who has shown flashes of brilliance but hasn’t been able to put together a consistent run of performances.

Can Sangare Turn Things Around?

This is where things get interesting for Sangare. He is still highly regarded as a player, and there’s no doubt he has the ability to be a dominant force in midfield. The question is whether he can stay fit and get a consistent run of games. If he does, he could become one of the most important players in Forest’s squad.

With the club on the brink of securing European qualification, Sangare’s experience in continental football could be a major asset. He has played in the Champions League and Europa League with PSV, so he knows what it takes to compete at that level. If Forest do qualify for Europe next season, he could become a crucial figure in their campaign.

However, if his injury struggles continue, he runs the risk of becoming another high-profile flop. A £30m signing who fails to justify his price tag is always going to be scrutinized, and Forest fans will start to question whether the money could have been better spent elsewhere.

Sangare is at a crossroads. The next few months will likely define his time at Nottingham Forest. If he can stay fit and rediscover his best form, he could become the player Forest thought they were getting when they signed him. But if his struggles continue, he may find himself on the fringes of the squad, with speculation about his future growing louder.

So, what do you think? Does Sangare have what it takes to turn things around at Forest, or is he at risk of becoming an expensive misstep in the transfer market?