Everton and Nottingham Forest both look to sign Johan Bakayoko this summer. The exciting talent has attracted attention from other Premier League clubs alongside big Bundesliga outfits. With their player just 22-years-old, PSV Eindhoven will hope to negotiate a healthy fee to let him go.
Everton Battle Nottingham Forest for Johan Bakayoko Amongst Bundesliga Outfits
€20 Million Asking Fee for Star
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that PSV are “set to sell” Bakayoko as they have received five approaches. English clubs Everton and Nottingham Forest battle for his signature, whilst Bournemouth are also in the mix as they try to tempt the player with their exciting project. Meanwhile, Bundesliga sides RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen compete. The two German clubs have had more success in recent years than the English teams, though the attraction of Premier League football may play a part.
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All five clubs have reportedly “called to open discussions”, with the Dutch club asking for a €20 million package, including add-ons. This seems a fair fee considering the hype surrounding Bakayoko had once led to him being named one of the standout players in the 2023/24 Eredivisie season.
Which English Club Should Johan Bakayoko Join?
Everton, Nottingham Forest, and Bournemouth are all interesting prospects as clubs to join. Everton are a historically massive club, with the Toffees never being relegated from the Premier League. They move to a new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock in the coming season, and David Moyes aims to push on for a top-half finish. Bakayoko would be dead-set for a starting place here, though collective success is less than guaranteed.
Meanwhile, the other two English outfits have had more success in the past year. Bournemouth looked set for a European place all campaign, though cruelly finished just outside of one. Under manager Andoni Iraola, and with investment from relatively new owner Bill Foley, it is an incredibly exciting project.
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Forest, however, finished in 7th place and will compete in the Europa League next campaign. This will surely attract Bakayoko the most, considering he has high demands. He stated that he wanted “to go to a club that can go as far as possible in the Champions League”. In fact, Leverkusen are the only club out of the five that will be playing in the UCL.
Forest’s higher status would suggest that minutes may be limited, but Anthony Elanga is set to join Newcastle United. Other than Callum Hudson-Odoi, they have no other starring wide players. Bakayoko could be the perfect replacement for the Swede, and can maximise his minutes at the City Ground whilst, theoretically, playing in the best side. Meanwhile, at Bournemouth he would still have to compete with Marcus Tavernier, Antoine Semenyo, Dango Outarra, Luis Sinisterra, and David Brooks amongst others.
It would seem that in Nottingham, he would have the best of both worlds: guaranteed minutes and European football.