In a major coup for Oliver Glasner’s men, Nottingham Forest have completed the £34m signing of centre-back Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP.
The Ivorian has penned a four-year deal at the City Ground, with the 22-year-old likely to be a key part of the new manager’s three-back system throughout 2026/27 and beyond.
After his signing was confirmed this morning, Diomande stated: “I am very happy to be here. It is a historic club, and it motivates me to join such a club. I believe we can achieve very good things this season.”
Such a move is a huge statement of intent from owner Evangelos Marinakis, but it’s undoubtedly not the last deal which will be completed before the end of the window.
Where Nottingham Forest need to bolster after Diomande’s arrival
Diomande has joined Xaver Schlager in arriving at Forest this summer, but added reinforcements are no doubt expected before the transfer deadline in a few weeks time.
Givairo Read has been the Reds’ number one wing-back target this summer, subsequently having three bids rejected by Feyenoord earlier on in the transfer window.
It remains to be seen if a fourth offer will be presented for the Dutchman, but Glasner is seemingly wanting added depth and reinforcements in wide areas.
The central midfield department has arguably become the number one area for improvement after the Ivorian’s arrival, with a new addition needed to fill the void left by Elliot Anderson.
|
Most PL mins played by Forest midfielders (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Tally |
|
Elliot Anderson |
3334 |
|
Morgan Gibbs-White |
3110 |
|
Ibrahim Sangaré |
2080 |
|
Nicolas Dominguez |
1175 |
|
Ryan Yates |
604 |
|
James McAtee |
289 |
The likes of Tijjani Reijnders and Arne Engels have been two names on the club’s radar in recent weeks, but no agreement has been reached for either player as of yet.
Lucas Bergvall is another player who has been on Glasner’s radar in recent months, but his £60m asking price has so far proven to be a stumbling block in negotiations.
However, despite the recent efforts to land other targets, the Swedish star is undoubtedly the club’s number one transfer target to replace Anderson at present.
How Nottingham Forest can land a better player than Bergvall
There’s no denying that Forest need added bodies in the midfield department before the window closes – especially if they are to be a success under Glasner next term.
The departure of Anderson has heightened the need for added quality at the heart of the side, with the clock ticking to secure a talented option at the base of the midfield.
Over recent days, AC Milan star Youssouf Fofana has emerged as a key transfer target, with a move seemingly on the cards ahead of the September 1st transfer deadline.
It’s been reported in France that Glasner’s side have made a direct offer to the player to try and prise him away from the Italian outfit this summer.
He also claims Everton and Crystal Palace remain in the race for the French star, which has seen a £15m asking price being mooted for the midfielder’s signature.
The 27-year-old may be an unknown quantity to many Reds supporters, but he’s a player who has been on their radar in each of the last three summer transfer windows.
The interest is long-standing, and for good reason, with his stats from last season showcasing his quality at both ends of the pitch – even bettering Bergvall in key areas for a midfielder.
Fofana has gained a reputation for being an impressive ball-playing option in recent times, which saw him complete 85% of his passes last term whilst averaging 1.5 chances created per 90.
Both of the aforementioned tallies were higher than those produced by the Spurs star, which could make the Frenchman a superb line-breaker within Glasner’s two-man midfield.
The Milan star also ended the season with more combined goals and assists, whilst registering 0.7 shots on target per 90 – placing him above 95% of other midfielders in Europe’s top-five leagues.
Even without the ball, Fofana managed to better Bergvall last campaign, subsequently winning more tackles per 90, whilst also being dribbled past on fewer occasions.
His experience across Europe’s top divisions could make him an instant hit with the Reds supporters, with the Frenchman featuring at the top level in each of the last eight years.
Bergvall is still somewhat of an unknown quantity given his tender age, which could see his £60m deal be a waste of money should he fail to reach his full potential.
As for Fofana, landing a proven and talented midfield option for £45m could be a phenomenal piece of business and one which could transform Glasner’s midfield.
