Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Wed 1 April 2026 7:45, UK

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Nottingham Forest winger Dilane Bakwa surely has no future at the club as Bayer Leverkusen line up a summer move for his services.

Bakwa has failed to make an impact at the City Ground since a £30million move from Strasbourg last summer.

He notched six goals and eight assists in Ligue 1 last season, but has failed to even find the net for Forest in 17 appearances so far this term.

The 23-year-old winger was last handed a Premier League start in early January, and has been forced to play at wing-back when coming off the bench under Vitor Pereira in recent weeks.

Nottingham Forest’s transfer plans are unclear right now while they try to avoid relegation from the Premier League, but it now looks pretty certain that Bakwa will leave after a new report.

Bayer Leverkusen reportedly want Dilane Bakwa this summer

Bakwa did put in a decent performance in Forest’s Europa League win over Midtjylland on 19 March, but has barely featured and registered just one assist in 17 appearances so far.

He has been kept out of their starting lineup by the likes of Omari Hutchinson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dan Ndoye, and does not look set to force his way into the side anytime soon.

According to Jeunes Footeux, signing Bakwa is being internally discussed at Bayer Leverkusen, and he is open to a move away from Forest this summer.

They were already interested in signing him last year before he joined Forest, and he would surely jump at the opportunity to join such a club that competes at the top end of the Bundesliga every season.

If they are similar to the calibre of the club that will be interested in his services this summer, then Bakwa is surely set to leave Forest for pastures new following a disappointing debut campaign.

What do Nottingham Forest fans think of Bakwa potentially leaving?

Bakwa is not the only player who has struggled at the City Ground after a summer move, with Football Insider recently revealing that Forest are open to selling James McAtee, as Leeds register their interest.

Reds fans have slammed the Frenchman online for his poor performances throughout this season, with many also critical of him following this latest report.

One took to X to say: “Get him gone, Let’s be honest he hasn’t shown anything, if we can break even do it,” while another added: “Maybe he should pull his finger out and try harder.”

Some took a more balanced view of his struggles, with one saying: “Hopefully we avoid the drop and then can bed this lad in properly. Poor lad has been absolutely ruined this year by Dyche. Hope he understands it’s likely a one-off.”

Bakwa may well want to depart the City Ground as it stands, but some more game time under Pereira and Forest avoiding relegation could both be factors in him wanting to stay for next term.