Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Johan Bakayoko to replace Anthony Elanga is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing transfer sagas of the summer. While the Reds have identified the 22-year-old Belgian winger as their top target, there are many factors at play that could influence Bakayoko’s decision. The competition for his signature is fierce, and the decision may ultimately come down to Bakayoko’s ambitions, his long-term goals, and how Forest presents their project compared to the allure of other clubs.

At the heart of Forest’s interest in Bakayoko is their need to replace Elanga, who has garnered significant interest from Newcastle United. Elanga has been an important figure in Forest’s attacking system due to his speed, directness, and ability to threaten defenders on the wing. Forest have made it clear that Bakayoko is the player they see as the ideal replacement for Elanga, as the Belgian shares many of these qualities. Bakayoko’s pace, dribbling ability, and attacking mindset make him an excellent fit for Steve Cooper’s setup, and he would slot into the same role that Elanga filled with ease. With Elanga’s potential departure, Forest wasted no time in pursuing Bakayoko, believing he could provide a similar level of impact for the team.

However, Forest’s task is far from simple. As Fabrizio Romano reported, Bakayoko is in high demand, and Forest are competing with at least four other clubs who are eager to secure his signature. Among these competitors are Premier League rivals Bournemouth and Everton, which places additional pressure on Forest. Both clubs are not only in the same league, but they are also looking for players with Bakayoko’s specific attributes, making it all the more difficult for Forest to stand out. This competition means that Forest will have to present a compelling case to Bakayoko, convincing him that their project offers more long-term potential than the other suitors.

What complicates matters further is Bakayoko’s ambition to play at the highest level in European football. The Belgian has already proven himself in the Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven, where he has been a key figure in their attacking setup. His recent success in winning the Eredivisie title and his experience in the UEFA Champions League have elevated his reputation as one of the most exciting young wingers in Europe. Given his age and potential, Bakayoko is likely aiming to secure a move to a club that regularly competes in the Champions League, a competition that he is already familiar with. His experience on Europe’s grandest stage could make him less inclined to move to a club without immediate Champions League prospects.

Reports from the German outlet Kicker have further confirmed that Bakayoko’s preference is to join a club that offers him regular Champions League football. Having played for PSV in Europe’s top competition, Bakayoko has undoubtedly grown accustomed to the level of competition and exposure it provides. The Champions League is widely regarded as the pinnacle of club football, and for a player of Bakayoko’s talent and ambition, continuing to compete at that level is a key factor in his decision-making process. With this in mind, Forest may struggle to convince him that their project is worthy of his attention, especially since the Reds are not currently in the Champions League and would need to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League to qualify for the competition.

While Forest have secured a spot in the Europa League for the upcoming season—thanks to UEFA’s ruling against Crystal Palace for a breach of multi-club ownership rules—the prospect of playing in the Europa League may not hold the same appeal as the Champions League. Although the Europa League does offer a pathway to the Champions League in the future, Bakayoko might view a move to a club with guaranteed Champions League football as a more attractive option. Forest will need to find a way to convince him that their project offers a similar or even greater opportunity for success, despite the challenges they face in securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.

This is where Bayer Leverkusen enters the picture as one of Forest’s main competitors for Bakayoko’s signature. The German club finished second in the Bundesliga last season, securing their place in the Champions League. With the prestige of competing in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, Leverkusen are in a strong position to lure Bakayoko. The club has a well-established reputation in European football and could offer Bakayoko the opportunity to play at the highest level from the outset of next season. For a player eager to continue his Champions League journey, Leverkusen offers an appealing pathway that could be difficult for Forest to match, at least in the short term.

What makes Leverkusen’s interest even more dangerous for Forest is the fact that the Bundesliga side is in need of a player like Bakayoko. Under their new manager Erik ten Hag, Leverkusen are transitioning to a more traditional 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, which places a high value on wingers. The club has been seeking reinforcements in wide positions for some time, and Bakayoko’s attributes make him an ideal fit for their system. His pace, dribbling ability, and versatility in attack are qualities that Leverkusen have been searching for in a new winger. This tactical shift, combined with Leverkusen’s guaranteed Champions League status, makes them a serious competitor in the race for Bakayoko. He could step into the team immediately and be a key figure in their Champions League campaign, something that would be difficult for Forest to offer.

Bayer Leverkusen’s appeal to Bakayoko goes beyond just their Champions League status. They are a well-run club with a rich history in European competitions, and the opportunity to play in the Bundesliga—a league that is widely regarded as one of the best in Europe—could be enticing to a young player looking to continue his development. Leverkusen’s tactical setup under Ten Hag could also provide Bakayoko with an ideal platform to showcase his abilities. He would likely receive more immediate responsibility at a club like Leverkusen, where the demand for a player of his profile is high. For Bakayoko, the chance to join a team with both Champions League football and a tactical system that suits his style could be a decisive factor.

For Nottingham Forest, the key challenge will be convincing Bakayoko that their project, while ambitious, offers him the right balance of development and exposure. The club’s recent promotion to the Europa League is a positive step, but Forest will need to do more than just talk about their future plans—they will need to show that they are building a squad capable of achieving long-term success, including a genuine push for Champions League qualification. The allure of the Premier League, with its massive global reach and intense competition, might be enough to persuade Bakayoko that he can develop at Forest while still having the opportunity to play at the highest level in the near future. However, the fact remains that Champions League football with a club like Bayer Leverkusen is hard to pass up, and Forest will need to pull out all the stops to make their case.

Ultimately, this transfer saga is a test of Nottingham Forest’s ability to sell their project to a player of Bakayoko’s caliber. They will need to highlight the club’s ambition, the exciting prospect of playing in the Premier League, and the potential to reach the Champions League in the coming seasons. At the same time, they will have to convince Bakayoko that he can continue to develop into one of Europe’s top wingers while playing for a club that is on the rise. The battle for Bakayoko’s signature is likely to go down to the wire, and only time will tell if Forest can convince him to make the move to the City Ground or if the lure of Champions League football with Bayer Leverkusen—or another suitor—proves too strong to resist.