Nottingham Forest are making headlines with one of the most eye-catching transfer pursuits of the summer.
Fresh from securing Europa League football, the Midlands club have intensified efforts to strengthen their squad, targeting several high-profile young talents from across Europe.
Forest have already confirmed the signings of Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus, and Jair Cunha, with deals for James McAtee and Omari Hutchinson also nearing completion.
The package for McAtee is worth around £30m, while Hutchinson’s deal could break Forest’s transfer record at £37.5m.
Talks are also ongoing for Rennes forward Arnaud Kalimuendo, while Callum Hudson-Odoi is close to agreeing fresh terms at the City Ground.
This ambitious activity comes after manager Nuno Espírito Santo publicly voiced concerns about a lack of progress in the transfer market earlier this summer.
The club’s hierarchy appear to have responded.
With Europa League football guaranteed after Crystal Palace’s unsuccessful appeal to CAS demoted them to the Conference League, Forest should see this as the perfect moment to cement their status as one of the Premier League’s rising forces.
Among their boldest moves has been a bid for one of Manchester City’s most highly regarded academy graduates.
Nottingham Forest working to sign Man City talent
The target in question is 20-year-old Rico Lewis, a versatile full-back and defensive midfielder who has been with Manchester City since childhood.
His progress through the ranks has been notable.
A player already described by Pep Guardiola as “exceptional“, Forest submitted an opening offer of £25.8m, which was swiftly rejected.
According to Fabrizio Romano, negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs as the Tricky Trees work on a deal to snap him up from the Cityzens this summer.
Debuting at 17, Lewis soon became a regular part of Guardiola’s treble-winning squad in 2022/23, demonstrating maturity far beyond his years.
Last season, he made 48 appearances across all competitions, starting 37 of them, per Transfermarkt. Along the way, he scored twice and provided five assists, while his positional flexibility proved invaluable for City. Capable of operating at right-back, left-back, or stepping into midfield, Lewis embodies the modern tactical demands of top-level football.
For Forest supporters, the pursuit of Lewis evokes memories of another bold move for a Manchester United academy graduate – Anthony Elanga.
Signed in 2023 for £15m after struggling for opportunities at Old Trafford, Elanga quickly became a star at the City Ground.
Over two seasons, the winger contributed 11 goals and 21 assists in 82 appearances, per Transfermarkt, his form earning him a big-money switch to Newcastle United earlier this summer worth £55m.
Why Lewis could be the next Elanga
The data, as per FBref, reinforces why Lewis is regarded as one of the most exciting defensive prospects in Europe. Among positional peers last season, he ranked in the 99th percentile for pass completion (91.9%), highlighting his composure under pressure and his ability to maintain possession even in tight areas.
He also ranked in the 91st percentile for progressive passes (5.93 per 90 minutes) – evidence of his willingness to advance play rather than simply recycling possession. His attacking instincts are further illustrated by his ranking in the 87th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area (2.45 per 90).
|
Rico Lewis – Premier League Stats 2024/25 |
|
|---|---|
|
Matches played |
28 |
|
Starts |
21 |
|
Minutes |
1,893 |
|
Goals |
1 |
|
Assists |
2 |
|
Progressive Carries |
39 |
|
Progressive Passes |
107 |
|
Source: FBref |
|
Such numbers place him in the company of players like Andrew Robertson, Jules Koundé, and Malo Gusto – names that underline the calibre of Lewis’ performances despite his relative infrequency in the starting line-up.
With five international caps already to his name and a market value of around £35m, he is a player who would normally be well beyond Forest’s reach. Whether they can prise Lewis away from the Etihad remains to be seen.
His contract runs until 2028, and City are under no financial pressure to sell. The rejected bid of £25.8m may have been opportunistic, testing the waters to see whether limited playing time in a stacked City squad could make Lewis or the club open to a move.
But even if the pursuit proves unsuccessful, it is another signal of Forest’s intent to continue their rapid rise.
Their business so far this summer already paints a picture of a club determined to compete on multiple fronts. Ndoye, Jesus, and Cunha have added depth, while the potential arrivals of McAtee, Hutchinson, and Kalimuendo would give Nuno a squad brimming with energy and creativity.
Lewis would represent a statement signing that underlines Forest’s ambition to attract players capable of starting for Europe’s elite.
Just as Elanga helped elevate Forest during his time at the club, the arrival of Lewis could usher in another era of growth and excitement at the City Ground.
