Nottingham Forest have been promoted to the UEFA Europa League after demoting Crystal Palace to the Conference League due to multi-club ownership issues.
Nottingham Forest have been waiting for UEFA’s decision for weeks and now, finally, they’ve got clarity ahead of the new season.
🚨 BREAKING: Crystal Palace demoted to the Conference League by UEFA. Nottingham Forest upgraded to the Europa League. Subject to an appeal. Crystal Palace likely to go to CAS.
🗣️ Statement: "On 9 July 2025, the appeal instance of the French financial control authority (DNCG)… pic.twitter.com/529tw6OJwn
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 11, 2025
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Nottingham Forest can now budget for the Europa League, which will give them much more leeway to spend this summer transfer window due to the additional revenue from the competition.
Indeed, Crystal Palace will appeal, but Forest really do have to get a move on with recruitment and must significantly bulk up their squad ahead of a congested fixture list.
With that said, the decision has instantly given them a £43m transfer boost.
Malick Fofana celebrates scoring for Lyon against Le Havre
Photo by Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Nottingham Forest more likely to sign Malick Fofana after Europa League decision
Anthony Elanga is close to joining Newcastle United in a £60m transfer, which leaves a massive void on the right flank.
However, Forest have already drawn up a list of targets to replace Elanga, with Johan Bakayoko heavily linked to the City Ground.
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Lyon’s Malick Fofana is also on Nuno Espirito Santo’s radar, and it was reported by Fabrizio Romano that a deal between the two clubs had already been agreed.
🚨🇧🇪 EXCL: Nottingham Forest have agreed deal with Olympique Lyon for Malick Fofana… but no agreement yet on player side.
Fofana, waiting for Champions League clubs with Chelsea still keen on the player.
Understand Bayern and Napoli have also called to make initial approach. pic.twitter.com/dp8XtwDP9x
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 1, 2025
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Romano explained that personal terms were still yet to be agreed and there was some speculation around Fofana’s willingness to join the East Midlanders.
But, Europa League football could certainly entice the £43m-rated winger to commit his future to Espirito Santo’s side.
Forest will be a much more attractive prospect now and have a bigger budget to offer higher wages, too.
Forest also given boost in James McAtee race
Morgan Gibbs-White’s move to Tottenham Hotspur has stalled, however, if that deal does materialise, Forest are expected to go for James McAtee.
Manchester City are willing to sell McAtee for around £25m after Pep Guardiola decided to leave him out of the Club World Cup squad.
McAtee is being monitored by several clubs and Everton are already in direct talks with City over a transfer.
Bayer Leverkusen are also thought to be circling, so perhaps it wasn’t a transfer that was possible until UEFA’s announcement.
Europa League football could change everything.