Forest sign Kalimuendo in £25m transfer

Kalimuendo joins Nottingham Forest from Rennes on a five year deal worth about £25m, part of a busy window of signings for the club.

Forest secure Kalimuendo in £25m transfer

Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Arnaud Kalimuendo from Rennes for about £25m on a five year contract. The 23 year old France U23 striker scored 18 Ligue 1 goals last season and came through Paris Saint Germain’s academy before loans at Lens and a move to Rennes in 2022.

Kalimuendo arrives after Forest’s recent spending spree, which has already brought in Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich for a club record £37.5m and James McAtee from Manchester City for £30m. The striker was among the window’s most sought after forwards, with RB Leipzig and Villarreal among clubs tracking him as competition for his signature.

At Rennes Kalimuendo recorded 40 goals in 112 appearances. Forest see the Parisian academy graduate as a player who can contribute in the Premier League from the outset and help lift the attack to a new level.

Kalimuendo’s move signals a shift in Forest’s approach from steady rebuilding to assertive, aggressive recruitment. The price tag and the combination with two other major signings this window reflect a clear ambition to climb the table quickly, but they also raise questions about budget discipline and wage balance across the squad.

If the new forwards click, Forest could reap a faster return on investment than some observers expect. If they don’t, questions will mount about sustainability and whether the club’s spending will outpace on pitch results. The real test will be whether tactical integration and player versatility translate into consistent performances across competitions.

Highlights

The season will reveal if this talent infusion pays off.