Hudson-Odoi stance emerges as Nottingham Forest hold shock transfer talks
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s views on leaving Nottingham Forest this summer have been revealed after the Reds were approached by a high-profile European side over a move for his services.
Hudson-Odoi has been a clear success at the City Ground so far, after he joined the club from Chelsea in 2023 for a surprisingly low initial fee of just £3million [BBC].
Nuno Espirito Santo has viewed the 24-year-old as a key man in his side since his arrival at Nottingham Forest, and Hudson-Odoi has reaped the rewards with 13 league goals across the last two seasons combined.
The Reds have handed new contracts to the likes of Ola Aina, Matz Sels and Morgan Gibbs-White this summer as they prepare to play in the Europa League, but the ex-Leverkusen winger is yet to pen fresh terms with his deal set to expire next summer.
Football Insider revealed earlier this year that Forest were planning to hold contract talks with Hudson-Odoi this summer, amid previous transfer interest from Tottenham, but nothing has been sorted as yet and new developments suggest that another major European side wants to sign him soon.
Hudson-Odoi content at Forest despite Besiktas talks
Football Insider’s previous report revealed that the three-time England international was “loving” his time at the City Ground, and that does not look to have changed any in the lead up to the new campaign.
However, journalist Sacha Tavolieri has claimed, via X (13 August), that Turkish giants Besiktas have identified Hudson-Odoi as a priority target for this current transfer window.
He states that talks have already taken place with his camp to convince the winger of a move to the Super Lig, and Forest are considering a sale with just a year left on his deal, but Hudson-Odoi is believed to be happy in the East Midlands and is keen to keep playing in the Premier League.
Forest must resist Hudson-Odoi sale after Elanga departure
Football Insider verdict
There is certainly a case to be made that Forest need all the continuity and consistency they can get from last season to the next, particularly in attack, considering they have already sold Anthony Elanga to Newcastle and brought in the likes of Dan Ndoye and Igor Jesus.
Nuno clearly rates Hudson-Odoi very highly, and it comes as little surprise to learn that the 24-year-old is content in the East Midlands, as it is the first time in his career that he has seemed truly settled and able to perform to the best of his ability.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 70 | 13 | 6 |
With that said, selling him would not make much sense, despite Forest being interested in Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa, as he still has the potential to improve even further and could be a real talisman in Europe and the Premier League in 2025/26.
The Reds are in a tricky situation regarding his contract and whether to cash in now or risk him leaving for free next year, but the fact that a number of other key men have already signed on should boost their chances of convincing Hudson-Odoi to do similar, and more on-field success would also surely push him to extend his stay.