Nottingham Forest strives to sign ‘Extraordinary’ £25million

Nottingham Forest became the headlines of one of the most eye-catching transfers of the summer.

Midlands Club has just won the Europa League football match, thus strengthening its efforts to strengthen the team, aiming at several high-profile young talents from all over Europe.

Forest has confirmed the signing of Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha, and the deal with James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson is also about to be completed.

McAtee’s parcel is worth about £30 million, while Hutchinson’s deal could break Forest’s transfer record for £37.5 million.

Rennes Forward Arnaud Kalimuendo is also in talks, while Callum Hudson-Odoi agrees to new conditions almost on the city ground.

The ambitious activity comes after manager Nuno Espírito Santo publicly fears the lack of progress in the transfer market earlier this summer.

The club’s hierarchy seems to have responded.

With Europa League football guaranteeing the unsuccessful appeal of Crystal Palace relegated them to the conference league, Forest should consider it an ideal moment to consolidate itself as one of the Premier League’s rising forces.

One of their boldest moves is one of Manchester City’s most popular academy graduates.

Nottingham Forest strives to sign human talent

The target in question is 20-year-old Rico Lewis, a versatile defender and defensive midfielder who has been at Manchester City since childhood.

His progress in the team is worth noting.

Forest, already known as a “stellar” player by Pep Guardiola, submitted a £25.8 million opening offer, which was quickly rejected.

According to Fabrizio Romano, negotiations are underway between the two clubs as tricky trees snapped up a deal from the city this summer.

Lewis made his debut at the age of 17 and soon became a regular part of Guardiola’s championship-winning team in 2022/23, proving that maturity is far beyond his years.

Last season, he played 48 times in all games in each Transfermarkt, including 37 of them. Along the way, he scored twice, providing five assists, and his positional flexibility was priceless to the city. Lewis is able to step into the midfield at right back, left back or step into the midfield, reflecting the modern tactical needs of top football.

For Forest supporters, the pursuit of Lewis evokes memories of another bold move by Manchester United Academy graduate Anthony Elanga.

Elanga signed £15 million for £15 million in 2023, and Elanga quickly became a star in the city.

The winger has contributed 11 goals and 21 assists in 82 games in two seasons, and his table won his big switch to Newcastle United earlier this summer, worth £55m.

Why Lewis can be the next Ellanda

According to FBREF, the data reinforces why Lewis is considered one of Europe’s most exciting defensive prospects. Among his positional companions last season, he ranked in the 99th percentile of pass completion (91.9%), highlighting his calmness under pressure and his ability to maintain possession even in tight areas.

He also ranked 91st in the 91st percentile for the 91st percentile (5.93 per 90 minutes) – he was willing to play ahead of time instead of simply reclaiming the evidence he had. His offensive instinct further illustrates his ranking in the 87th percentile in the offensive free throw zone (2.45 per 90 times).

Such numbers put him in the company of players like Andrew Robertson, Jules Koundé and Malo Gusto, and despite his relatively frequent starter lineup, Lewis’ talent for performance has been reduced.

His name already has five international caps, with a market value of about £35 million, and he is usually a player far beyond the forest. Whether they can reward Lewis for taking away from Etihad remains to be seen.

His contract lasted until 2028, and Manchester City had no financial pressure to sell. The rejected £25.8 million bid was probably opportunistic, testing the waters to see if the limited time of the stacked city squad could make Lewis or the club open.

But even if the pursuit proves unsuccessful, it is another signal that the forest continues to rise rapidly.

So far this summer, their business has painted photos of a club determined to compete on multiple fronts. Ndoye, Jesus and Cunha add depth, while the potential arrival of McAtee, Hutchinson and Kalimuendo will give Nuno a vibrant and creative squad.

Lewis represents a statement that highlights Forest’s ambition to attract players capable of starting European elites.

Just as Elanga helped elevate the forest during her club period, the arrival of Lewis could attract another era of growth and excitement.