Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Mon 20 April 2026 10:45, UK

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Dilane Bakwa is surely set to leave Nottingham Forest this summer after his latest poor showing in their win over Burnley.

Bakwa was hauled off at half-time after a completely ineffective performance against the Clarets in just his fourth Premier League start of the season.

He arrived at the City Ground for around £30million last summer after an impressive couple of seasons at Strasbourg, but has failed to make an impact and is already being linked with a move away.

Vitor Pereira will surely not have been impressed with what he saw from the 23-year-old on Sunday, and a summer exit looks as likely as ever now.

Bakwa could well be involved in Forest’s transfer plans, especially if they succumb to relegation from the Premier League this season.

Dilane Bakwa continued his poor season with lack of impact vs Burnley

Forest’s Europa League progression has seen Bakwa earn more playing time in recent weeks, with Pereira handing him a rare league start against Burnley due to Callum Hudson-Odoi’s injury concerns.

He did very little to prove that he has deserved more minutes under the Portuguese boss, with the performance likely damaging his chances of increased game time between now and the end of the season.

Bakwa was barely involved in a first half that saw Forest head into the break a goal down against the 19th-placed Clarets after Zian Flemming’s opener.

He was constantly unable to get the better of Burnley left-back Quilindschy Hartman, and was rightly substituted off at half-time for Igor Jesus.

Forest were clearly a much better side without him playing, going on to win 4-1 as Jesus netted his first league goal on home turf in the closing stages.

Who has Bakwa been linked to ahead of the summer?

Bakwa’s performance will not have given Pereira much food for thought, and he certainly seems likely to leave Forest this summer as his struggles continue.

Sources have told Football Insider that Forest will see a sizeable revenue dip next season if they fail to win the Europa League, so one way to offset those losses will be to sell fringe players like Bakwa who have struggled this season.

According to a recent report from Jeunes Footeux, Bakwa’s name has been internally discussed at Bayer Leverkusen, and he is open to a move away from Forest this summer.

His profile would likely fit the Bundesliga a lot more than it does the Premier League, and he certainly looks set to leave the City Ground with game time now set to be at a premium over the next month.