Leeds United have had an interest in Dilane Bakwa for some time now, with the RC Strasbourg winger also on the radar of other Premier League clubs.
Per Beren Cross in The Athletic, the club have had to pivot from Facundo Buonanotte and Leeds United have Bakwa, Bilal El Khannouss, Eduard Spertsyan, and Manor Solomon among the names on their late-window shortlist.
Leeds targeted Bakwa as Igor Paixao’s alternative but Nottingham Forest have remained very keen on Bakwa. The interest from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side is in spite of bringing in numerous forwards already this summer.
Forest had a £26 million bid for Bakwa rejected. There was talk that Forest were set to sign Bakwa for £28 million at one stage as well. However, Leeds remain in the race and nothing has materialised for either Premier League side.
RC Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa
Photo by Sathire Kelpa/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
Sky Sports journalist provides update on Leeds target Dilane Bakwa
Leeds were stepping up their efforts to bring in Bakwa from RC Strasbourg last weekend. However, Forest then made a £30 million Bakwa bid. That latest update could mean Leeds are outbid in their efforts.
Fulham have ‘advanced talks’ for Bakwa in recent days, with Bakwa revealing his last game for Strasbourg had been played recently. The 23-year-old is set for a departure before tomorrow’s deadline, with the Premier League trio keen.
🌳 Dilane Bakwa will not be joining Nottingham Forest.
🇧🇪 #NFFC has decided to focus on Dodi Lukebakio, considered a concrete target for the right wing in this final stretch of the transfer window.
🇪🇸 Sevilla FC awaiting the offer. #mercato pic.twitter.com/Q6IBMkv6QB
— Sacha Tavolieri (@sachatavolieri) August 30, 2025
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Sacha Tavolieri has revealed Bakwa will not be joining Forest because they have decided to focus on Dodi Lukebakio. He is considered a concrete target for the right wing in this final stretch of the transfer window and Sevilla are awaiting an offer.
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That information is not exactly the same as that of Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports. The journalist has shared what Fulham and Forest both think of Bakwa ahead of the deadline.
He states that Fulham still want to sign a second new winger before the deadline and Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan is believed to be the priority at the moment. Bakwa is also admired but he adds that Forest are still pursuing the Strasbourg winger.
Sevilla FC v Real Betis Balompie - La Liga EA Sports
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Leeds should join Nottingham Forest’s Dodi Lukebakio pursuit
Alongside Dan Ndoye and Igor Paixao, LUN suggested Lukebakio for Leeds. Since then, it was revealed Leeds fans want Dodi Lukebakio as an alternative to Paixao after that move fell through.
The 27-year-old Sevilla forward was signed to the club in Victor Orta’s first summer and Leeds should be looking at Lukebakio as a replacement for the output Solomon put out last season.
Team/Season Appearances Goals Assists
Sevilla – 2025/26 2 1 0
Sevilla – 2024/25 37 11 2
Sevilla – 2023/24 27 5 1
Hertha Berlin – 2022/23 33 12 3
Dodi Lukebakio’s recent career form
His ability to cut inside from out to in on the left is missed when he operates from the right-hand side. It’s why Lukebakio would be a bigger signing than Jaka Bijol or Anton Stach.
🚨 Movements underway for Dodi Lukebakio after call from Stuttgart and with two Premier League clubs keen.
Sevilla expect proposals to come in ahead of Monday’s Deadline Day. pic.twitter.com/wmYcIeLYzn
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2025
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Not only does he have reliable output, but Lukebakio has the height, size, and athleticism as well. Fabrizio Romano has outlined more than one Premier League club is interested in Forest’s target, and Leeds ought to be one.