After an incredibly strong 2024/25 season, Nuno Espirito Santo looks to prepare his side best for the upcoming campaign which will include European football. With Tottenham Hotspur set to poach Morgan Gibbs-White and Newcastle United set to sign Anthony Elanga, Nottingham Forest look towards Yoane Wissa to re-strengthen their squad.
Nottingham Forest ‘Renew Pursuit’ of Yoane Wissa After Morgan Gibbs-White Poaching
Bid Falls Below Winter Proposal
David Ornstein, of The Athletic, has revealed that Forest “renew [their] pursuit” of Wissa. A “fresh offer” has been made for the striker, after the Tricky Trees bid £25 million in January. However, this new bid has reportedly been rebuffed by Brentford, with its value being below that of the winter proposal.
The Bees actually value their “best finisher” at £50 million, a fee that far exceeds Forest’s offers. Furthermore, Ornstein understands that this valuation will increase if Bryan Mbeumo completes a move to Manchester United, which seems to have a good chance of happening given that the Cameroonian has ruled out any other transfer this summer (though the Red Devils will need to increase their offers).
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Brentford are attempting to reduce the amount of turnover this summer, with Thomas Frank already departing, and so it seems unlikely that they will agree to a fee that Forest are willing to pay.
Nottingham Forest Don’t Need Strikers
This move seemed curious anyway: the arrival of Wissa would not really negate the departures of Elanga and Gibbs-White. Forest will need to bring in some more creativity with the ~£115 million that they will receive from these sales.
Whilst Wissa isn’t the least creative centre-forward out there, they will need a new number ten and arguably a new starman on the wing. Callum Hudson-Odoi is a talented player, but other than him they only really have Jota Silva as options, as proven by their interest in Samuel Mbangula and Timothy Weah.
Meanwhile, up front, Chris Wood is a perfectly fine striker, netting an exceptional 20 goals in the league last campaign. Whilst he is 33 and may need some rotating, they still have Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis on the bench. For those who would point out the Nigerian duo’s faults in the last year, The Reds have also just signed Igor Jesus, the next hottest thing out of Brazil. It would appear that striker is the one forward position that Forest don’t really need to be tending to right now.