Nottingham Forest's ambitious £30.2m bid for Strasbourg's promising forward Dilane Bakwa has been firmly rejected. The 22-year-old Frenchman, who has shown remarkable potential with 11 goals and 20 assists in 69 matches, is eager to make the move to the City Ground. Forest's offer comprised £23.7m upfront with an additional £6.5m in add-ons, but Strasbourg is holding out for a minimum initial fee of £30m plus add-ons.

Bakwa, who joined Strasbourg from Bordeaux in 2023, has been a key player for the club, which shares ownership with Chelsea under the BlueCo umbrella. Despite being a substitute in all three of Strasbourg's matches this season, he has managed to provide two assists from the bench, showcasing his versatility and impact.

The transfer saga unfolds amidst uncertainty surrounding Nottingham Forest's managerial situation. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has acknowledged a strained relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis, adding to the club's internal challenges. Despite signing eight players this summer, including winger Dan Ndoye and midfielder Douglas Luiz, Nuno is keen to bolster his squad further, particularly in the goalkeeping and full-back positions, as they prepare for Europa League competition.

Meanwhile, other Premier League clubs like Leeds and Sunderland have also expressed interest in Bakwa, highlighting his growing reputation in European football. Forest's next Premier League fixture sees them hosting West Ham, as they aim to navigate through these turbulent times both on and off the pitch.