Champions League club want £13m Nottingham Forest player but there’s a big issue

In one of the more intriguing twists of this summer’s transfer window, a UEFA Champions League club has expressed concrete interest in a key Nottingham Forest player valued at around £13 million. However, as advanced talks begin to materialize, a significant complication threatens to derail the move before it even takes off.

This exclusive report delves deep into the identity of the player in question, the interested European giant, what makes the player such a hot property this summer, the details of the proposed deal, and why a substantial issue could stop the deal in its tracks.

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The Player: Orel Mangala – Forest’s Midfield Gem

The player drawing attention is Belgian midfielder Orel Mangala, who joined Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2022 from VfB Stuttgart. The 26-year-old has become one of the most consistent performers in Forest’s engine room, particularly noted for his composed passing, defensive intelligence, and ball progression skills. In his two Premier League seasons, Mangala has proven to be a vital cog in Forest’s bid to remain in England’s top flight.

Mangala’s versatility—able to play as a deep-lying midfielder, box-to-box engine, or even as a pivot in a double midfield axis—has drawn admiration across Europe. His statistical metrics, including progressive passes, interceptions per 90, and pass completion rate, rival those of midfielders at top-six Premier League clubs.

According to sources close to Nottingham Forest, Mangala is currently valued at around £13 million, though his actual worth may be higher due to his importance in Nuno Espírito Santo’s midfield system and his international pedigree with Belgium.

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The Suitor: A Champions League Regular With Midfield Needs

The club reportedly interested in Mangala is Galatasaray, the Turkish Super Lig champions, who are preparing for another campaign in the UEFA Champions League after securing back-to-back league titles under head coach Okan Buruk. Galatasaray have been aggressive in the transfer market in recent seasons, signing the likes of Mauro Icardi, Dries Mertens, Lucas Torreira, and Hakim Ziyech, showcasing their ambition to compete at the continental level.

With Torreira potentially on the move and midfield depth being a top priority, Galatasaray are now targeting Mangala as a long-term replacement and Champions League-caliber reinforcement.

According to Turkish outlet Fanatik, Galatasaray have already made preliminary contact with Nottingham Forest and Mangala’s representatives. The Turkish giants are said to be keen to finalize a deal swiftly, ideally before the Champions League playoff rounds commence in August.

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Why Mangala?

Galatasaray’s interest in Mangala is no surprise. The Belgian brings a tactical versatility that aligns perfectly with Okan Buruk’s philosophy. He can operate as a metronomic presence in a midfield two or slot into a more advanced role in a 4-3-3. His ability to carry the ball through midfield and his defensive positioning—often compared to midfield orchestrators like Rodrigo Bentancur or Idrissa Gana Gueye—make him the ideal player to stabilize Galatasaray’s midfield against elite European opposition.

Mangala’s performance against top Premier League sides last season, especially against Manchester City and Arsenal, caught the eye of scouts. His ability to maintain composure under pressure, shield the backline, and initiate counterattacks with accurate long passes has become a rare trait among affordable midfielders in today’s market.

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Nottingham Forest’s Stance

Despite their willingness to listen to offers for several fringe players to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), Nottingham Forest are reportedly reluctant to part with Mangala, especially for a fee as low as £13 million. The club views him as an integral piece in their midfield alongside Ibrahim Sangaré and Ryan Yates.

Sources within the club suggest that while Forest may consider offers north of £17 million, any transfer will also be contingent on bringing in a suitable replacement—a tough ask this late in the window. Additionally, Nuno Espírito Santo is believed to be a big fan of Mangala and sees him as a “core player” for his tactical plans this season.

Moreover, Forest are reportedly preparing to offload several other players including Emmanuel Dennis, Jonathan Panzo, and Josh Bowler to raise funds. The club would prefer not to sell key midfield assets unless absolutely necessary.

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The Big Issue: A Complex Loan Obligation

Herein lies the major complication: Mangala is currently on loan at Olympique Lyonnais, who negotiated an obligation to buy clause when they acquired him temporarily in January 2024.

The clause stipulates that Lyon must purchase Mangala permanently this summer, which throws a wrench into Galatasaray’s plans. Unless Lyon agree to cancel or renegotiate that obligation, Nottingham Forest are legally bound to sell the player to the French club.

Lyon, for their part, are undergoing a transitional period under new ownership and management. Financial uncertainties and FFP concerns have clouded their summer plans, meaning they are currently unable or unwilling to trigger the obligation. However, Lyon’s sporting director David Friio has made it clear that they won’t simply walk away from a deal without compensation or negotiation.

Until Lyon either complete the purchase or agree to release Mangala from the obligation, Forest cannot negotiate a separate sale with Galatasaray or any other club.

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Player’s Perspective

Mangala himself is said to be open to a move to Galatasaray, particularly with the allure of Champions League football and a starring role in one of Europe’s most passionate footballing environments. While Lyon have offered him a permanent stay, the club’s current instability and lack of European football next season make Galatasaray a more appealing destination.

In a recent interview with Voetbal International, Mangala stated:

“I want to play at the highest level and challenge myself in Europe. It’s important to feel valued and part of a serious project.”

Sources close to his camp suggest that Mangala has already been in contact with Galatasaray players and is “excited” about the potential move, though he remains committed to Nottingham Forest while under contract.

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Forest’s Summer Balancing Act

This is not the only complex negotiation Nottingham Forest are involved in this summer. The club is walking a financial tightrope due to PSR regulations and is working to balance player sales, wage trimming, and squad reinforcement.

While Forest have already completed moves for Elliot Anderson (from Newcastle) and are chasing Montpellier’s Maxime Estève, they must now consider how many first-team players they can realistically part with. The departure of Mangala without a suitable replacement would leave a void that cannot be easily filled.

It’s believed that Forest are targeting Sheffield United’s Gustavo Hamer and Sporting CP’s Hidemasa Morita as potential replacements, but neither deal is close.

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Galatasaray’s Plan B?

If the Mangala deal collapses, Galatasaray are expected to pivot quickly to other midfield options. Reports in Turkey link them to Real Betis’ Guido Rodríguez and Fiorentina’s Alfred Duncan as alternatives. However, Mangala remains their top choice due to his age, Premier League experience, and Champions League readiness.

Okan Buruk has personally requested a profile like Mangala’s—a midfielder with box-to-box capabilities and tactical intelligence. Time is ticking, though, and Galatasaray must finalize their midfield revamp before the Champions League qualifying deadlines.

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What Happens Next?

The coming days will be crucial in determining Mangala’s fate. For the deal to proceed, three things must happen:

1. Lyon must formally cancel or renegotiate the obligation to buy, allowing Forest to reclaim full rights over the player.
2. Galatasaray must submit a competitive offer, likely in the region of £15–17 million to persuade Forest to sell.
3. Forest must secure a replacement midfielder, which will determine their willingness to greenlight the deal.

Until then, the situation remains in limbo. Mangala continues training with Nottingham Forest, but his future appears to be a subject of internal debate at the City Ground.

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Conclusion

A Champions League club with grand ambitions has placed a Premier League midfielder at the top of their wish list—but the intricacies of modern football contracts, loan clauses, and financial regulations could scupper what might be a career-defining move for the player involved.

For Nottingham Forest, the dilemma is clear: hold onto one of their most consistent performers or cash in for financial flexibility. For Mangala, the dream of European football beckons, but it remains blocked by contractual red tape.

In the ever-evolving landscape of football transfers, nothing is certain until the ink is dry—and in Orel Mangala’s case, that might take longer than anyone hoped.