Nottingham Forest have reached agreement with Bologna FC to complete the signing of Dan Ndoye, the Swiss international winger, in a reported £35 million deal—marking a potential club-record transfer move.
Transfer Background & Context
- Forest are actively rebuilding under head coach Nuno Espírito Santo, with a clear priority on reinforcing the wide positions following the departures of Anthony Elanga and Ramon Sosa.
- Ndoye, 24, scored 8 goals and delivered 4 assists in 30 Serie A appearances during the 2024‑25 season and was part of Bologna’s Champions League campaign.
- His versatility—primarily as a right winger but capable across the frontline —has attracted serious attention.
Negotiation Timeline
- Nottingham Forest submitted an opening bid around £27 million, which Bologna rejected. Personal terms with Ndoye were already agreed, giving Forest the edge as negotiations intensified.
- Meanwhile, Napoli, Serie A champions, had resumed their pursuit of Ndoye after earlier interest, though their offers reportedly ranged between €40–50 million (~£27–28 million)—but Nottingham Forest’s offer is now the frontrunner.
- As of July 27, 2025, reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Forest remain resolute about completing the move and have advanced the negotiations.
Player Profile: Dan Ndoye
Full name: Dan Assane Ndoye
Date of birth: 25 October 2000 (Nyon, Switzerland)
Height: 1.83 m
Position: Primarily a right winger, also effective in forward or wing‑back roles
Career pathway highlights:
- Developed in Swiss academies, including Lausanne‑Sport, before moving to OGC Nice in 2020.
- Loaned to FC Basel in 2021, later signed permanently and made nearly 100 appearances over two seasons.
- Joined Bologna FC in August 2023 for an initial €10 million and has since made over 60 appearances in Serie A.
- Key contributor in Bologna’s Coppa Italia victory in May 2025—ending a 51‑year trophy drought.
- Represented Switzerland internationally, scored at Euro 2024, and earned multiple caps by mid‑2025.
Why This Transfer Matters
- For Nottingham Forest, this transfer signals serious ambition: replacing a departing star like Anthony Elanga with Ndoye shows intent to not only compete domestically but also in European competition (Europa League).
- The deal also impacts the broader market. With Napoli losing out on Ndoye, they may shift focus to other high‑profile targets like Jack Grealish or Alejandro Garnacho.
- Ndoye’s trajectory—from Swiss youth academies to Serie A success and now a Premier League switch—reflects his accelerating development and growing reputation.
Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Dan Assane Ndoye (Swiss winger) |
| Previous club | Bologna FC (Serie A) |
| New club | Nottingham Forest (Premier League) |
| Transfer fee | ~£35 million |
| Contract length | Five‑year deal agreed |
| 2024‑25 stats | 8 goals, 4 assists in 30 league games |
| Key strengths | Versatility, flair, Champions League experience |
| Significance | Club-record move for Forest; strategic squad rebuild |
Outlook
Once the paperwork is finalized, Ndoye is expected to arrive at the City Ground ahead of pre‑season training. Forest fans can look forward to a technically gifted winger joining Nuno’s squad—an ambitious addition as the club aims for a strong Premier League and European campaign in 2025‑26.
This move encapsulates Forest’s summer recruitment strategy: bold, decisive and future‑focused.