Nottingham Forest fans will be delighted to see that their side are already making moves to replace Newcastle United-bound Anthony Elanga.
Elanga’s move to Newcastle will be the biggest departure from the City Ground since Brennan Johnson, with the pressure on Evangelos Marinakis and the recruitment team to deliver a successor.
The recruitment department itself has been bolstered at the ideal time, as Edu Gaspar has officially joined Forest after months of speculation in a newly created Head of Global Football role that will have an emphasis on talent identification.
However, Forest already wanted to sign two wingers so much of the scouting may have already been done, with one star rising above the rest as the Reds look to open negotiations.
Nottingham Forest expected to open talks with Johan Bakayoko
Nottingham Forest News has already confirmed that Forest are interested in Johan Bakayoko, who has been a target in previous windows too, but it looks as if this interest is set to be ramped up imminently.
According to John Percy of The Telegraph, Bakayoko is emerging as a top target to replace Elanga.
🚨💣 EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Elanga to Newcastle, here we go! Deal in place club to club with Nottingham Forest for £55m.
Agreement also in place with player’s camp on long term deal. 🤍🖤
Excellent addition for #NUFC. pic.twitter.com/3Y6J90hFbe
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 7, 2025
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The report said: “Nottingham Forest are targeting PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko as they ramp up their push for summer signings following the imminent £55 million sale of Anthony Elanga.
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“Bakayoko, the Belgium international, is emerging as a top target for Forest with talks expected to open with the Eredivisie club over a potential move to the Premier League.”
Last summer, Bakayoko rejected the advances of Forest as he was committed to playing for a club that competes for titles, but with another Eredivisie in his pocket and the Reds’ progress into European football, he could well be tempted into a move.
His attributes match up rather nicely with Elanga’s so the pursuit makes sense, but Percy also stated that one strength that Bakayoko has over the Swede has caught Forest’s eye in particular.
One of Johan Bakayoko’s strengths has caught Forest’s eye
The primary goal for the Belgian, should he join Forest, would be to replicate Elanga’s output from last season, when the outgoing winger delivered 18 goal contributions across all competitions.
The majority were assists, but this may be switched to goals with Bakayoko given his stronger track record for finding the net himself.
Percy continued: “Bakayoko’s versatility appeals to Forest as he can play on the wing or as an inside forward.”
Season Anthony Elanga Johan Bakayoko
2022/23 0 7
2023/24 5 14
2024/25 6 12
Elanga and Bakayoko’s goalscoring output compared
Even in Bakayoko’s worst goalscoring season of the last three years, he still outscored Elanga’s best campaign, showing that the 22-year-old would be a stronger asset in this proposed “inside forward” role.
It would involve a slight tweak in Nuno Espírito Santo’s tactics, but having a stronger goal threat out wide could make Forest even more dangerous in transition than they were last season.