Nottingham Forest tekee historiaa Arnaud Kalimuendon huipputason hankinnalla Valioliigaan
If there was any doubt about Nottingham Forest’s ambition this season, it should vanish now. The club is on the verge of signing 23-year-old French striker Arnaud Kalimuendo from Rennes in a deal worth around €31.5 million — one of the biggest transfers in Forest’s long history.
That’s not just a signing. That’s a statement.
A Rising Star in France
Kalimuendo isn’t arriving as an unknown prospect. Last season in Ligue 1, the Paris-born forward buried 17 goals, finishing just behind some of the league’s biggest names in the scoring charts. Over the course of his young career, he’s already passed the 50-goal mark in France’s top flight.
What makes him dangerous is not just his finishing ability but his versatility. He’s quick, sharp, and comfortable leading the line through the middle or drifting wider when needed. French pundits often describe him as a “modern striker” — someone who can hold the ball up with his back to goal, but also has the pace to exploit space behind defenders. In short: he can hurt you in more ways than one.
A Gamble Worth Taking
For a club like Forest, this is a massive investment. The €31.5 million price tag is colossal compared to their usual transfer business, especially for a side that has spent the last two seasons hovering nervously above the Premier League relegation zone.
The reasoning is simple: goals win survival, and last year Forest didn’t score enough of them. At times, the attack looked toothless, lacking the ruthlessness needed to kill off games. Bringing in Kalimuendo shows Forest aren’t content with just clinging onto top-flight status. Under Nuno Espírito Santo, they want to move beyond firefighting and start building something sustainable — a team that belongs in the Premier League’s middle pack rather than its basement.
Fans Will Have to Wait
There’s just one catch: Kalimuendo won’t be available for Forest’s first league game of the season against Brentford. He’s currently going through medical checks, and the deal is expected to be rubber-stamped shortly. For supporters at the City Ground, the debut of their new jewel will come a little later — but, judging by his Ligue 1 track record, it should be worth the wait.
Why This Matters
Forest’s defense was steady enough last season. The real issue was up front — a lack of finishing touch that turned potential wins into draws and narrow defeats. Kalimuendo, if he adapts quickly, could change that almost overnight.
At 23, he’s still years away from his true peak. If he thrives in England, this transfer could look like a bargain within a year or two, especially with today’s ever-inflating transfer market.
Quick Facts
- Transfer fee: €31.5 million from Rennes to Nottingham Forest
- Player: Arnaud Kalimuendo, 23, striker
- Last season’s record: 17 goals in Ligue 1, third in the Golden Boot race
- Impact: Forest finally get the reliable finisher they’ve been missing
- Availability: Not in the opening matchday squad, official unveiling soon
Nottingham Forest doesn’t make moves like this without a bigger plan in mind. And if Kalimuendo’s goals in France are anything to go by, the Premier League is about to find out just how bold that plan really is.
🔥 What do you think — is Kalimuendo the missing piece that could push Forest up the table, or another expensive gamble in a league full of them?
