Nottingham Forest Nears £30M Dilane Bakwa Signing Deadline

Nottingham Forest is nearing the completion of a busy transfer window with key signings including winger Dilane Bakwa from Strasbourg on a five-year contract, and left-back Cuiabano from Botafogo, which would bring their summer additions to 11 and push spending beyond £200 million. Bakwa, a 23-year-old French Under-21 international, was a long-term target for Forest and has faced competition from clubs like Fulham, but Forest's persistence appears to be paying off as they prepare for his medical ahead of the transfer deadline. The club has also strengthened other positions with notable arrivals such as John Victor, Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha, Dan Ndoye, Omari Hutchinson, and Douglas Luiz, reinforcing both attack and defense. Squad changes are expected, with potential exits including winger Jota Silva, who favors a move to Sporting CP, and Taiwo Awoniyi, who has fallen down the pecking order following new signings and might leave on loan. Forest's deadline day activity reflects a strategic effort to bolster squad depth and versatility ahead of the season, with manager Nuno Espírito Santo focusing on players capable of operating in multiple roles. These moves come as the club looks to improve following a recent 3-0 home defeat to West Ham, intensifying pressure on the coaching staff and ownership.