TBR Football can exclusively confirm that Nottingham Forest are working hard on options on the wing as Anthony Elanga and Ramon Sosa edge closer to the exit door.
Elanga is closing in on a move to Premier League rivals Newcastle United, while Sosa is on the verge of a move to Brazilian outfit Palmeiras.
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has named five wingers who Nottingham Forest are looking at to bolster their ranks.
These include two players who are set to play in the Champions League next season and have been compared to Gareth Bale and Bukayo Saka respectively.
Belgium international Johan Bakayoko
Photo by Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Johan Bakayoko and Baris Alper Yilmaz among wingers on Nottingham Forest radar
Bailey can confirm that Forest have an interest in PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko – a player they have admired for a long period.
Sources confirm that the Belgium international is an option and talks have taken place.
We can also report that Forest are ‘attentive’ to the situation of Turkish winger Baris Alper Yilmaz – they are huge fans of the Galatasaray forward.
However, both players have interest from across Europe and won’t be easy to land.
Forest also still have an interest in Botafogo’s Cuiabano too and, although that deal stalled last month, it remains an option for the club.
We are also told that Brighton’s Simon Adringa and Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson are of interest to Forest.
READ MORE: Lewis McGugan says £17m Nottingham Forest player improved so much last season
What has been said about Johan Bakayoko and Baris Alper Yilmaz
Bakayoko has been described as PSV’s version of Arsenal star Bukayo Saka.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash against PSV, Adrian Clarke said in 2023: “There’s a player on the right wing, their most exciting player and most dangerous player is the right winger. A kid called Johan Bakayoko.
“He’s only 20 (now 22), he’s quick, he’s like Saka, he’s their version of Saka. He plays off the right and is left-footed, so we have to be careful.”
Meanwhile, Ilker Puren, Yilmaz’s former coach Ankara Keciorengucu, said his former player reminded him of Gareth Bale and said he was at a level close to that of Phil Foden.
Galatasaray star Baris Alper Yilmaz
Photo by Mehmet Murat Onel/Anadolu via Getty Images
Puren told IGS last year: “I compare Baris Alper Yilmaz to Gareth Bale in terms of strength. He has the ability to sprint 3-4 meters after dodging the opponent with the ball.
“One day he will definitely play in the Premier League because there the physicality is important. He has also improved his positioning.
“He is at a level close to Phil Foden.”
Both players won their respective league titles last season and so will be playing in the Champions League next term.