Nottingham Forest endured a difficult 2025/26 season, finishing 16th and struggling for consistency for much of the season. Following the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo, the City Ground managerial merry-go-round has left the club struggling near the foot of the table. Ange Postecoglu and Sean Dyche followed, without much success. The appointment of Vitor Pereira helped ensure the club’s Premier League survival, before Forest announced the appointment of Oliver Glasner for the coming season. It appears Forest are aiming to build their team from the back for the coming season, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that Forest are in “advanced talks” to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP.
Nottingham Forest Need Big Improvements Under Glasner
Forest Target Diomande for 2026/27 Season
If Forest are to progress, they need stability more than anything. The loss of Elliot Anderson is a blow, despite the £116 million fee. Stefan Ortega, Willy Boly, and Angus Gunn have all been released by Forest.
Glasner has a big job on his hands, signing the players with the right profile. He needs to build a squad that fights for him. Forest used to have this under Santo, but it feels like they have lost it in the last couple of seasons.
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Lucas Bergvall has been linked with a move to Forest, and looks likely to be the next player through the door at the City Ground, which could involve Morgan Gibbs-White moving in the other direction to Tottenham Hotspur.
Nottingham Forest In Advanced Talks to Sign Ousmane Diomande
According to the update from Romano, Nottingham Forest “are in advanced talks” to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP. Negotiations are said to be underway between both clubs, with Forest keen to get the deal done.
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Diomande is a dominant centre-back, and looks to have all the characteristics to succeed in the Premier League. He excels in one-on-one duels. The Ivorian is adept at breaking up opposition attacks. Diomande can be rash when committing to a tackle and can be caught out of position. This impulsiveness can see him caught out, but his strength and committed playing style will endear him to the Forest faithful.
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