Report: Nottingham Forest launch £35m bid to sign Premier League forward | OneFootball

Forest test Palace resolve with Mateta bid

Nottingham Forest have rarely been subtle in the transfer market, but this latest move feels pointed rather than panicked. A £35m offer for Jean-Philippe Mateta is not simply a bid for goals, it is a statement about urgency, leverage and timing. According to reporting by The Athletic, Forest believe personal terms will not be an issue with the 28 year old, leaving Crystal Palace holding the line on valuation and replacement strategy.

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Palace’s position is clear. Sources briefed on the situation suggest they will only consider selling if their £40m package is met and if a replacement is secured. Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolves is among the names under consideration. That conditional logic tells its own story. This is not a club actively seeking to cash in, but one responding to pressure from outside while managing the instability of recent weeks.

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Mateta’s season numbers sit in that ambiguous zone scouts love and fans debate. Eight goals from 23 Premier League starts is solid, though only two have come in his last 11 league appearances. That drop off fuels the argument from Juventus, who enquired but ultimately walked away, viewing the asking price as unrealistic given his age and contract length. Aston Villa also expressed interest, while weighing up a separate move involving Evann Guessand, although their focus has now shifted with Tammy Abraham close to arriving from Besiktas.

Forest’s interest feels more existential. They have scored 23 league goals, the second fewest in the division, with only Wolves managing fewer. Chris Wood’s knee injury has stripped them of last season’s top scorer for much of the campaign. Arnaud Kalimuendo, signed for £26m in the summer, has already been loaned out to Eintracht Frankfurt. These are not abstract problems. They are structural gaps in a side fighting to stay afloat.

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Numbers behind Forest attacking push

Forest have moved aggressively to address that shortfall. Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi both scored in the vital 2-0 win over Brentford, a reminder that there is talent within the squad. The loan signing of Lorenzo Lucca from Napoli, with an option to buy for around €40m, adds another dimension. Yet the sense persists that Forest want a forward who knows the league, knows the rhythms, and can function immediately without transition time.

Mateta fits that brief. He has started every league game for Palace this season, offering durability as much as output. There is also a stylistic compatibility. Forest’s attack often needs a focal point capable of occupying centre backs, creating space for runners, and surviving on limited service. Mateta has built a Premier League reputation on precisely those attributes.

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Palace balancing valuation and upheaval

For Palace, this comes at a moment of flux. Marc Guehi has already departed for Manchester City in a £20m deal. Oliver Glasner has confirmed he will be leaving the club. The idea of losing another senior figure is understandably unwelcome. Glasner was explicit on Friday. “It is pretty clear,” he said. “JP will stay if we don’t have the right replacement who can play immediately.”

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That statement was less about reassurance and more about conditions. Palace are not closing the door, but they are controlling the frame. They know Forest are motivated. They know other clubs have circled and stepped away. The price reflects that awareness.

Animosity adds extra edge

This deal also exists within a wider context of tension. Forest and Palace meet on Sunday, with recent history adding spice. Palace’s demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League, following UEFA and CAS rulings on multi club ownership, saw Forest promoted into the Europa League instead. Forest have always maintained their correspondence with UEFA was about clarity rather than complaint, but the resentment lingers.

Transfers rarely happen in isolation. Emotions, timing and memory all matter. A move for Mateta now would land in the middle of that unresolved narrative.

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There is an acceptance that £35m to £40m is a heavy outlay for a 28 year old striker with eight league goals, but context matters. Forest are not shopping for potential, they are shopping for survival. In that market, premiums are inevitable.

There is also a sense of realism among fans. The squad has lacked continuity up front, with injuries, loans and rotation preventing momentum. A player who has started 23 consecutive league games carries value beyond goals alone. Availability, physical presence and Premier League familiarity all count when margins are thin.

Some supporters will question whether Mateta is transformative enough, especially given his recent scoring run. Others will argue that Forest do not need a saviour, they need stability and incremental improvement. If Mateta can add five or six goals across the run in, that could be decisive.

Ultimately, the mood is one of cautious approval. Forest have been here before, throwing money without structure. This move feels different. It addresses a clear weakness, fits the tactical profile, and acknowledges the urgency of the situation. Whether Palace blink on price may decide not just a transfer, but Forest’s season.