Nottingham Forest has officially confirmed the acquisition of 23-year-old winger Dilane Bakwa from Strasbourg. This significant transfer concludes his two-season tenure with the French club, marking a new chapter in his career with the Premier League side.
Bakwa originally joined Strasbourg from Bordeaux in the summer of 2023 for a fee of €10 million. He rapidly became a crucial component of Liam Rosenior’s squad, with his dynamic and consistent contributions on the right flank being instrumental in “Le Racing`s” surprising 7th-place finish last season. This impressive performance secured them a coveted spot in the Europa Conference League play-off round.
Despite being under contract with Strasbourg until 2027, Bakwa had a gentleman`s agreement with the club`s hierarchy that would allow him to depart if an appropriate offer was received. Earlier in the summer, Italian club Como had reportedly reached an understanding with the attacker. However, the Créteil-born player was keen on securing a move to a club that was participating in European competitions, which ultimately led him to Nottingham Forest.
Negotiations between Strasbourg`s owners, BlueCo, and Nottingham Forest proved to be robust. Forest, under the ownership of Evangelos Marinakis, saw three consecutive offers—amounting to €28 million, €31 million, and €35 million (including bonuses)—rejected. The persistent efforts eventually paid off, with a final agreement being struck for a substantial €40 million.
Nottingham Forest officially announced Bakwa`s arrival via a statement, expressing their excitement about securing his services on a five-year contract. The club highlighted his profile as a left-footed attacker who primarily operates from the right wing, noting his impressive track record of contributing to over ten goals in each of his full senior seasons within French football.
