Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Arnaud Kalimuendo from Rennes in a deal worth around £26 million, capping off a frenzied transfer window that has seen their spending surpass £140 million.
The 23-year-old French forward arrives at the City Ground after an impressive 2023/24 campaign in Ligue 1, where he netted 18 goals and added four assists across 34 appearances. Kalimuendo, who came through Paris Saint-Germain’s academy before moving to Rennes in 2022, is now the seventh major signing for Forest this summer.
Speaking after putting pen to paper, Kalimuendo expressed his delight at joining the Premier League side. “I am honoured to be part of a club with such a great history. I hope to contribute my energy and goals to help the team achieve big things this season,” he said.
Nuno’s Concerns Over Imbalanced Squad
While Nottingham Forest’s transfer activity has dominated headlines, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has been cautious in his assessment of the squad’s readiness ahead of the new season. Just days before the Premier League curtain-raiser, Nuno admitted his team were “very far” from the level of preparation he had hoped for.
“We are very far in terms of preparation, in terms of planning, in terms of the squad,” Nuno told Sky Sports. “We are playing in the most demanding competition in the world, and right now, we are not where we need to be.”
Despite these concerns, Forest gave a confident performance in their opening fixture, securing a 3-1 victory over Brentford. New signing Dan Ndoye was on the scoresheet, providing a glimpse of the impact the summer arrivals could have.
Record Deals and Big Ambitions
Kalimuendo’s arrival adds to an already eye-catching summer for Evangelos Marinakis’ club. The Tricky Trees have broken their transfer record to sign Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich for £37.5m and added Manchester City midfielder James McAtee for £30m. Goalkeeper Ange Gunn, Igor Jesus, Dan Ndoye, and Jair Cunha have also joined the squad, underlining Forest’s intent to reshape their roster significantly.
Nottingham Forest’s chief football officer, Ross Wilson, praised the club’s late-window efficiency. “It’s been a busy few days for us – the culmination of a lot of hard work over many weeks. Arnaud arrives with real excitement and energy, and we’re looking forward to seeing that on the pitch,” he said.
The investment reflects Nottingham Forest’s ambition not just to secure Premier League safety but to establish themselves as a stable top-flight club capable of competing with mid-table rivals and beyond.
Nottingham Forest Eyes on More Reinforcements
Nottingham Forest’s transfer dealings may not be finished yet. Reports suggest the club are keen on Manchester City’s young defender Rico Lewis, who made 44 appearances under Pep Guardiola last season. Although City remain keen to tie him to a new long-term contract, Forest are monitoring his situation closely.
There are also whispers of a potential loan move for Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, who left Aston Villa in 2024 but could be tempted back to England. If secured, Luiz would add further depth to a midfield that Nuno believes still requires reinforcement.
Balancing Act Ahead of Demanding Season
The influx of talent at Nottingham Forest underscores both the club’s ambition and the urgency to balance a squad that Nuno has repeatedly described as “imbalanced.” While the opening-day win at Brentford offered encouragement, Forest will need their new signings to adapt quickly to the pace and intensity of the Premier League.
With over £140m already spent and potentially more to follow, the pressure will now shift from the transfer market to the pitch. Supporters, buoyed by the club’s ambition, will hope that Nottingham Forest’s aggressive summer strategy translates into stability and progress after seasons spent fighting to retain their top-flight status.
For Kalimuendo, the spotlight is immediate – Nottingham Forest are banking on his goalscoring touch to fire them up the Premier League table and justify their record-breaking outlay.
