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Nottingham Forest dealt transfer blow as £35m bid rejected

Nottingham Forest have reportedly had a bid rejected by Ipswich Town after trying to sign attacking midfielder Omari Hutchinson.

A proposal reportedly worth £35million was offered to the Championship club, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, but it is understood it would take a higher fee to see the England Under-21 international leave Portman Road.

Fellow Premier League side Brentford made an earlier attempt to sign the former Arsenal academy graduate this window, which 'fell way short' of Ipswich's valuation, according to The Athletic's David Ornstein and Simon Johnson.

Hutchinson managed three goals and two assists for the Tractor Boys during the last Premier League campaign, scoring in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, a 2-1 win over Chelsea and a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Omari Hutchinson

Ipswich Town value Omari Hutchinson at more than £35million (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

The season prior, after initially joining from Chelsea on loan, he contributed 10 goals and six assists as he helped the side return to England's top flight for the first time in more than 20 years.

Hutchinson operates on both wings or as an attacking midfielder, often switching between the three positions last season for Ipswich. He featured as England U21s' left winger in their UEFA Under-21 Euro-winning campaign in June.

Featuring in six games, Hutchinson, who has represented Jamaica's senior side twice, scored to put England 2-0 up against Germany in the competition's final, which they eventually won 3-2 after extra-time.

Reds midfielder, Elliot Anderson also featured in the final, and all six tournament games, for England, earning a goal against Spain and an assist against the Netherlands in the quarter and semi finals, respectively.

Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson with the trophy after England's European Under-21 Championship win

Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson with the trophy after England's European Under-21 Championship win (Image: Getty)

If Forest were to return and secure the player's services, he would likely feature as a winger for the side, though not as a direct replacement for Anthony Elanga, who departed for Newcastle earlier this summer.

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is keen to bolster both attacking and defensive options ahead of the upcoming campaign, which will feature European football following the club's seventh-placed finish in the Premier League.

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Nottingham Forest pre-season supplement

It promises to be an exciting season ahead for Nottingham Forest.

The 2024/25 campaign proved to be a special one for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. But it could get even better for the Reds this time around.

European football will be coming to the City Ground for the first time in three decades. It will be a whole new continental adventure for Forest, and they will be eager to give it a good go.

It all means there is a lot to look forward to this coming season. With that in mind, we have produced our Nottingham Forest 2025/26 Kick-Off special, our brilliant guide to the new season.

Our reporter Sarah Clapson will waltz you through what to expect from the Reds this coming season, turn the spotlight on Nuno, run the rule over one of Forest’s key men and take a look at the club’s transfer business. Our club-by-club guide will give you the lowdown on Forest’s Premier League rivals, while you will also be able to test your knowledge with our Premier League quiz.

We will also take a look at the summer’s biggest signings in the division, check out each ground and study the managers - new and old. With a full fixture list, Nottingham Forest 2025/26 Kick-Off will get you in perfect match shape in time for the Reds’ opening day curtain-raiser at home to Brentford on August 17.

Priced £3.50, pre-order your copy now from our online store and get it delivered direct to your door.

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