🔴 Nottingham Forest Set to Offload Ramon Sosa — and the Replacement is Already Here in Joel Ndala
With the summer transfer window in full swing and clubs across Europe re-evaluating their squads, Nottingham Forest appear to be quietly executing one of their smartest off-season moves — and they may not even need to dip into the market to do it. As reports intensify surrounding Ramon Sosa’s impending departure from the City Ground, Forest are showing signs of careful planning and strong academy integration, as Joel Ndala emerges as a clear successor to the Paraguayan winger’s role in Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad.
While fans may remember Sosa’s arrival last summer with optimism and expectation, his time at the club has never truly ignited. But instead of chasing another £10–15 million winger to replace a peripheral player, Forest’s decision to promote from within signals a more mature, sustainable direction — and Ndala might be the one to reap the rewards.
🇵🇾 Ramon Sosa’s Forest Journey: A False Start That Never Took Off
When Nottingham Forest secured the signature of Ramon Sosa from Argentine side Talleres in 2023, the move was seen as a statement of ambition. The Paraguayan winger was exciting, unpredictable, and direct — all traits that fit the modern profile of a Premier League wide attacker. His form in the Argentine Primera División had earned him plaudits across South America, and his performances for Paraguay only reinforced the belief that Forest had landed a gem.
However, adaptation to English football is not always straightforward. Despite his potential, Sosa found it difficult to make a consistent impact. Over the 2023/24 season, he made just four starts across all competitions, and managed to complete only one full 90-minute appearance. His lack of game time was not merely a result of tactical preference — it became clear that he wasn’t quite ready for the rigours of Premier League intensity or Nuno Espírito Santo’s defensive demands.
Behind the scenes, there were growing whispers that Sosa was not in the long-term plans. Though still young and talented, he didn’t possess the adaptability required to function across multiple attacking roles or contribute defensively with consistency. Forest began to quietly explore options.
🇧🇷 Palmeiras Move Nears Completion
Now, a year after his arrival, Sosa is on the verge of a move away from Nottingham Forest — and this time, the destination appears to be Brazilian giants Palmeiras. A deal is reportedly close to being finalised, with Forest likely to recoup the original transfer fee paid to Talleres, making this one of the rare instances where a transfer that didn’t work out doesn’t end in financial loss.
For Sosa, the move could be revitalising. Palmeiras are a powerhouse in South America and offer the chance to play regular first-team football in an environment that may suit his skill set better. He’s expected to reunite with a fellow Paraguayan international, which may further ease his transition. While he had hoped to continue his European adventure, a switch to a top-tier Brazilian side is far from a step down — it could be the restart his career needs.
Forest, for their part, won’t stand in his way. And they won’t be scrambling to replace him either — because they already have.
⚡ Enter Joel Ndala: Forest’s Internal Answer to a Tricky Problem
When Forest secured the loan signing of Joel Ndala from Manchester City’s youth academy in January 2024, it was largely under the radar. Ndala was known in academy circles for his raw pace, natural dribbling ability, and ability to drive at defenders, but few expected him to break into Forest’s senior picture so soon.
Yet in just a few months at the club, the young winger has turned heads. He’s made a seamless transition into Forest’s development setup, trained with the first team, and impressed senior staff, including manager Nuno Espírito Santo. Notably, he was one of a select few academy players invited to train with the first team ahead of Forest’s FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton, signaling the club’s intent to integrate him more closely into senior preparations.
Ndala’s style is remarkably similar to Sosa’s: he’s a left-sided attacker who likes to cut inside, has excellent footwork, and thrives in one-on-one situations. He’s not the finished product yet — at just 18 years old, he still has tactical and physical development to go through — but he offers a like-for-like profile that makes him a natural heir to the role Sosa played last season.
🧠 Tactical Flexibility: Ndala’s Ideal Use Case
While fans may debate how useful Sosa was last season, the reality is that his role in the squad was minor — but important in the right context. He was often used off the bench, sometimes to inject pace late in games or to offer a wide option when Forest were chasing goals. It’s a role that can be incredibly valuable for a young player like Ndala: low pressure, high opportunity, and ideal for developing confidence.
Nuno Espírito Santo is known for being cautious with youth, but when he believes in a player’s talent, he isn’t afraid to give them a chance. This is particularly relevant in cup competitions, where Forest will look to rotate their squad in early rounds of the Carabao Cup and possibly in the FA Cup. Ndala, like Zach Abbott last season, could be integrated gradually with these matches serving as stepping stones.
Forest also see a long-term advantage in giving Ndala real minutes now — he is in the process of acquiring homegrown status under current Premier League squad rules, and that kind of development is increasingly important in the context of post-Brexit football regulations.
🔄 Long-Term Strategy: Development Over Spending
This entire situation showcases a fundamental shift in Nottingham Forest’s transfer strategy. After two seasons of large-scale recruitment, the club now appears to be putting faith in its academy system. By transitioning Ndala into the first team, Forest not only avoid the need to spend £10–15 million on a new winger, but also begin to build a more sustainable future model — one based on smart recruitment and internal promotion.
Of course, Forest may still add depth. Reports have linked them with Samuel Mbangula, a young Belgian winger currently at Juventus. The club may be looking to create healthy competition on the left wing, with Mbangula offering slightly more experience while still fitting into a developmental bracket. However, the key takeaway is this: Ndala is not being overlooked. He is very much a part of the first-team discussion for 2024/25.
This could be the start of something bigger. Players like Josh Powell, Zach Abbott, and now Joel Ndala are being groomed not just to fill gaps, but to contribute meaningfully to Forest’s competitive aspirations in the Premier League and domestic cups.
📊 The Numbers Behind the Move
Ramon Sosa (2023/24)
Appearances: 13 (all comps)
Starts: 4
Minutes: 385
Goals/Assists: 0
Transfer fee: ~£7 million
Expected sale fee to Palmeiras: ~£7 million
Joel Ndala (since Jan 2024)
Age: 18
Previous club: Manchester City (Youth)
Forest status: Initial loan, view to permanent
Position: LW (can also play RW)
First-team training sessions: 3+
Competitive senior appearances: 0
Status: Expected to debut in 2024/25 Carabao Cup
🧩 Conclusion: From Exit to Opportunity
Nottingham Forest’s decision to move on from Ramon Sosa may have once seemed like a problem to solve — but with the emergence of Joel Ndala, it has instead become a strategic opportunity. The club is showing that it doesn’t need to reach for its wallet when a viable, high-upside solution is already in-house.
It’s a refreshing move that signals a more balanced, forward-thinking approach — investing in young talent, saving funds for more pressing needs, and ensuring that Forest’s future is not just about signings, but about development, integration, and trust.
If Ndala continues on his current path, fans may look back on this summer as a turning point — the moment Forest began turning promise into progress, not through flashy arrivals, but through believing in their own.