Nottingham Forest have their mind set on attacking improvements this summer, with Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo set to be the centrepiece of the incredibly exciting new frontline.
When Forest signed Igor Jesus from Botafogo at the start of the summer, it seemed as if the Reds had their striker situation solved with Chris Wood remaining the number one choice.
However, Nuno Espírito Santo has been experimenting with two strikers throughout pre-season and while it may not have delivered the goals, it seems to be a tactic he wants to persist with.
Therefore, with Forest closing in on Kalimuendo to add another option to that attacking group, here is all you need to know about the French goalscorer.
Stade Rennais striker Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Photo by DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images
Who is Arnaud Kalimuendo?
Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga is a French striker of Congolese descent, born on the 20th of January 2002 in Suresnes.
A product of the Paris Saint-Germain academy, Kalimuendo has starred for both Lens and Rennes since breaking into senior football in 2020.
Arnaud Kalimuendo stats
Season Appearances Goals Assists
2021-21 (Lens loan) 30 8 3
2021-22 (Lens loan) 35 13 0
2022-23 (Rennes) 37 7 3
2023-24 (Rennes) 41 15 2
2024-25 (Rennes) 34 18 3
Kalimuendo’s career path in numbers
With Kylian Mbappe in his way at PSG, Kalimuendo was loaned out to Lens to experience plenty of top division football from a young age, hitting double-figure goal contributions in both of his spells at the club.
Making the permanent switch to Rennes in 2022, a slow first season was quickly forgotten about with consecutive 15+ goal campaigns attracting the interest of Forest.
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How good is Arnaud Kalimuendo?
If the stats aren’t impressive enough, Kalimuendo’s style of play has caught the eye of analysts ever since he became a regular on loan at Lens.
Referred to as a “budding superstar” by Breaking the Lines in 2022, the French football specialists said:
“Devoted viewers of French football will already know the name of Arnaud Kalimuendo-Muinga. He spent the last two seasons in France on loan at relegation candidates-turned-European-challengers, RC Lens. In 65 games under Franck Haise, Kalimuendo scored 21 goals and assisted six.
“On its own, that would be a phenomenal record for an 18-year-old playing his first two seasons of senior football, but adjusted for goals per 90 and it looks even better.
“He scored 0.5 goals per 90, from an XG of 0.4 per 90. In simple terms, Kalimuendo outperformed his expected goals by over three across two seasons, showing signs of an above-average finisher.”
Arnaud Kalimuendo celebrates scoring for Rennes against Nice.
Photo by DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images
Arnaud Kalimuendo Leeds United
Such praise has inevitably led to interest from the Premier League, even before Forest jumped the queue and agreed a deal with Rennes.
According to L’Equipe, Kalimuendo was also wanted by Brentford and Leeds United, but the Frenchman actually turned down the advances of the Yorkshire club.
Clearly, then, Forest’s position in the Europa League has seen them able to present a project to the likes of Kalimuendo that other clubs cannot compete with.
Arnaud Kalimuendo Instagram
Reds fans wanting to know more about the incoming striker can head over to his Instagram, which is mainly populated with updates about his life on the pitch.
His handle is: @arnaud_kalimuendo, boasting over 250,000 followers on the platform.