⚠️ Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye Chase: A Defining Moment in a Tense Summer
As the 2025/26 Premier League season looms, Nottingham Forest find themselves in a precarious yet pivotal situation. The club is under pressure — from supporters, from the demands of the league, and from the internal expectations that Forest should now be more than just survivors. And in the middle of that pressure cooker sits a potential game-changing signing: Dan Ndoye of Bologna.
The Swiss international has become the centerpiece of Forest’s transfer ambitions this summer. But as things stand, the move is stuck in a tense deadlock with Italian giants Napoli also circling. It’s a classic case of modern football business — high stakes, complex negotiations, and the ever-ticking clock of the transfer window.
This is no ordinary transfer story. This is a litmus test of Nottingham Forest’s ambition, structure, and direction as they enter what could be a make-or-break season.
🧭 Setting the Stage: Forest’s Summer So Far
Let’s not sugar-coat it — Nottingham Forest’s summer has been rough.
Anthony Elanga, a key player last season, has left for Newcastle in a move that caught many fans by surprise. He brought pace, dynamism, and moments of quality that gave Forest an edge, especially on the counter.
Meanwhile, Morgan Gibbs-White, Forest’s creative heartbeat and arguably the most talented player in the squad, is the subject of serious interest from Tottenham Hotspur. Spurs see him as a long-term attacking midfield solution, and Forest are bracing themselves for a formal approach.
Pre-season is ticking away. The squad is thin. Key attacking threats are either gone or unsettled.
In short: Forest are vulnerable.
This is where Dan Ndoye comes in — a player not only identified as a replacement for Elanga but potentially as the new face of Forest’s front line.
🧠 Who is Dan Ndoye? A Rising Star with Real Substance
At 24, Dan Ndoye is no longer a “project” — he’s a proven performer at a high level, and his 2024/25 season with Bologna has put him firmly on the radar of clubs across Europe. Under Thiago Motta, Ndoye flourished as part of a tactically disciplined, aggressive, and cohesive team that won the Coppa Italia and earned Europa League football.
Here are his key numbers from last season:
9 goals
6 assists
Over 40 appearances in all competitions
Integral part of a Bologna side that stunned Italian football
Beyond stats, what makes Ndoye special is his versatility. He can play on either wing, operate centrally if needed, and is as comfortable taking on fullbacks as he is tracking back to help his defense. He’s a relentless runner, a solid dribbler, and a player who never hides from a battle — exactly the type of profile Forest need in a league as physical and transitional as the Premier League.
Most importantly, he has the mentality of a winner, forged in one of Europe’s most tactical leagues.
💼 The State of the Deal: Forest vs Napoli vs Bologna
The transfer has morphed into a full-blown saga — and for good reason. Bologna know what they have: a valuable, versatile attacker with rising stock. They are not eager sellers and are playing this exactly as you’d expect a club with leverage to do.
Let’s break down the latest developments:
Napoli offered a deal worth around €35 million total, reportedly structured as:
€9 million upfront
€26 million in add-ons
€5 million in bonuses Bologna rejected this, possibly due to the structure rather than the overall value.
Nottingham Forest have offered a lower fee (€28–29 million) but have gone all-in on wages, reportedly putting forward a €5 million/year salary — more than Napoli’s personal terms.
According to journalist Marco Giordano of Radio CRC, Bologna are still open to dialogue. New contacts with Ndoye’s representatives are expected imminently. However, neither club has yet met Bologna’s demands in full — and that leaves the door wide open.
🛠️ Why This Transfer Matters More Than Just Replacing Elanga
To say Forest need to sign Ndoye “urgently” doesn’t do it justice. The reality is: this signing could shape the entire trajectory of their season.
Here’s why:
- A Tactical Necessity
Forest were heavily reliant on direct wide play last season. Elanga’s pace, width, and transition threat were integral to how Forest attacked. Without him, they lack an outlet — someone to stretch play, beat defenders, and create space for others. Ndoye does all that — and more — with a better defensive work rate and higher technical ceiling.
- An Ambition Statement
By outbidding Napoli on wages, Forest have shown they’re willing to compete financially — but unless they also match or exceed the transfer fee, that ambition means little. Signing a player Napoli want would send a clear message: Forest are here to build, not just survive.
- Timing is Crucial
Every day without reinforcements puts Forest further behind. Players need time to settle, train, and adapt to systems. Ndoye coming in with only a week left before the season opens would help — but landing him now would allow him to start the first game fully embedded.
- Potential Gibbs-White Domino
If Gibbs-White does leave — and Tottenham’s interest is real — then Forest may need two top-class attacking players, not one. Missing out on Ndoye now would mean scrambling for alternatives later in the window, when sellers know Forest are desperate and prices go up.
🔴 Forest’s Broader Transfer Struggles: Are They Falling Behind?
Forest’s transfer record since returning to the Premier League has been a mixed bag. There have been moments of brilliance — signing Gibbs-White, bringing in Taiwo Awoniyi — but also scattergun spending and late-window panic buys.
This summer was meant to be different. A more measured, strategic approach. Yet, with less than a month to go:
They’ve lost a key player (Elanga)
They’re at risk of losing another (Gibbs-White)
And they haven’t yet secured a marquee signing
Contrast that with other mid-table clubs who’ve already strengthened: Crystal Palace, West Ham, even Bournemouth are more advanced in their business.
The risk is real: Forest are in danger of entering the new season under-prepared and underpowered.
✅ What Forest Must Do Now
If Forest genuinely want Dan Ndoye — and all signs point to that — then it’s time to stop hesitating and act decisively.
Here’s what needs to happen:
- Raise the Bid: Bologna want a package closer to €35 million, potentially front-loaded. Forest can match or beat that. They must.
- Close the Deal Quickly: Make the financials work. Ensure Ndoye’s camp knows he’s a priority signing.
- Don’t Wait for Gibbs-White to Leave: Act independently of other deals. Forest need Ndoye regardless. If Gibbs-White stays — fantastic. If he doesn’t, at least one hole is filled.
- Use This to Set the Tone: Show the fanbase, the squad, and the rest of the league that Forest are building something real.
✍️ Final Word: A Defining Opportunity
Dan Ndoye represents more than just a player for Forest — he symbolizes a choice. A choice between timid survival and bold progression.
Letting this deal slip through their fingers — especially to a European rival like Napoli — would not only weaken Forest’s squad but damage their reputation in the market. Getting it done, on the other hand, could ignite the summer and give Forest a fighting chance of rising above the scrap for safety.
There is still time, but not much. Forest need to act — now.