Nottingham Forest's £30m transfer raid 'alive' again in brutal deadline day hammer blow to Fulham

Nottingham Forest have agreed a deadline day deal with RC Strasbourg for the transfer of a former France Under-21 international winger, according to a new report – and could spoil Fulham’s transfer plans in the process.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri claimed on Monday morning that a deal to bring 23-year-old Dilane Bakwa to the City Ground remained “alive” and that an agreement in principle has been reached which would see Bakwa sign for Forest for an estimated €35m (£30m).

Strasbourg and Fulham had reportedly agreed terms already, but Bakwa is said to prefer a move to Forest – potentially leaving Marco Silva’s side stranded with just hours left in the transfer window.

Why Nottingham Forest are bidding to sign Dilane Bakwa

Although Nottingham Forest have already signed Dan Ndoye from Bologna to replace the departed Anthony Elanga, there has always been a desire for additional depth across the attacking line as the club prepare for their first European campaign in three decades.

Bakwa, a right winger who can also operate as a wing-back or centre-forward if required, has scored nine goals in 68 games for Strasbourg since signing from fallen French giants Bordeaux in 2023, and has also won six caps for France’s Under-21s.

Noted for his dribbling skill and ability to get open in the final third, Bakwa should suit Forest’s direct and counter-attacking style under current head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and a price tag of £30m is not viewed as being prohibitively expensive.

Should Forest complete a deal for the Frenchman, Bakwa would become their 11th signing of the summer transfer window following deals for fellow attacking players James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson, Arnaut Kalimuendo, Igor Jesus and Ndoye – many of whom arrived after Santo publicly complained about a lack of summer transfer activity.

Fulham had hoped to complete a deal for Bakwa themselves and had agreed a transfer fee with Strasbourg, but Bakwa is said to prefer a move to the City Ground and with Forest now reportedly firming up their interest, a potential move to Craven Cottage may well be off.

Fulham left reeling on transfer deadline day - but other irons are in the fire

The potential death of a deal for Bakwa leaves Fulham in a difficult position on the final day of the summer transfer window despite expectations that they will seal the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk forward Kevin for a reported £35m before the deadline passes.

Fulham hope to sign two wingers to bolster Marco Silva’s squad after a very slow start to their summer transfer business, but one key target may now be unobtainable – although BBC Sport reports that AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze remains a potential alternative target.

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Other names linked with a move to Fulham include former loanee Reiss Nelson and Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling, so it remains likely that the Cottagers will be able to find the attacking reinforcements that they need ahead of Monday’s 7pm deadline – although their hopes of agreeing a deal for Bakwa appear to have been dashed late on.

As it stands, the only signing that Fulham have made this summer is a €500k deal for back-up goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte, making them the team which have spent the last in the Premier League, although a deal for Kevin could push them ahead of Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in the spending stakes, at least initially. Fulham hope to confirm the arrival of the Shakhtar forward on Monday.