Nottingham ForestTeam·Nottingham Forest have tabled a £23 million bid for a midfielder described as an 'animal' with Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League experience, according to reports. The move represents part of the club's continued investment following their remarkable European journey last season.
The identity of the target remains undisclosed, but the valuation suggests Forest are pursuing an established player with proven pedigree at the highest level. The description of the player as an 'animal' typically refers to a combative, box-to-box midfielder who brings physicality and energy to the centre of the pitch.
Forest's pursuit of midfield reinforcement comes after a transformative 2025/26 campaign that saw them reach the UEFA Europa LeagueCompetition·Europa League semi-finals in their first European competition for 29 years. Despite their continental success, the club endured a turbulent domestic season, finishing 16th in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League with 44 points from 11 wins, 11 draws and 16 losses.
The season was marked by significant managerial instability, with four different head coaches taking charge. Vítor Pereira eventually secured the club's Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League survival after his appointment in February on an 18-month contract, following the departures of Nuno Espírito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche.
Forest have already demonstrated their ambition in the transfer market, spending £184.48 million in summer 2025. Key acquisitions included record signing Dan NdoyePlayer·Dan Ndoye for €40 million from Young BoysTeam·Young Boys, Arnaud Kalimuendo for £26 million from RennesTeam·Rennes, and loan deals for Douglas LuizPlayer·Douglas Luiz from JuventusTeam·Juventus and Oleksandr ZinchenkoPlayer·Oleksandr Zinchenko from ArsenalTeam·Arsenal.
The club's recruitment strategy appears focused on building a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts, with European qualification again a realistic target given their continental experience. The pursuit of a Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League-proven midfielder would add both quality and experience to a squad that impressed many with their European exploits.
Recent reports have also linked Forest with CelticTeam·Celtic's Arne EngelsPlayer·Arne Engels and Inter Milan's Davide FrattesiPlayer·Davide Frattesi as they seek to strengthen their midfield options. The club's willingness to invest £23 million demonstrates their commitment to consolidating their Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League status while building for potential European competition.
Whether this latest bid proves successful remains to be seen, but it underlines Forest's determination to capitalise on their recent European adventure with strategic squad improvements ahead of the new season.
Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliott Anderson in action during Nottingham Forest vs Bournemouth. SOPA Images/IMAGO
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