Nottingham Forest close in on £26m Arnaud Kalimuendo as striker undergoes medical | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest are closing in on the signing of Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, who is in London to undergo his medical ahead of a transfer.

The deal is expected to be worth around £26 million, although final terms are still being worked out between the clubs.

Kalimuendo, 23, has been with Rennes since 2022 after joining from Paris Saint-Germain on a five-year contract.

He scored 18 goals in 34 appearances last season as Rennes finished 12th in Ligue 1.

The forward also represented France at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he was part of the squad that won a silver medal.

Over two years at Rennes, he has registered 42 goals in 105 matches, emerging as one of the most reliable forwards in French football.

Forest’s move for Kalimuendo is part of a major summer rebuild as they prepare for their first European campaign in three decades.

Their place in next season’s Europa League was confirmed earlier this week after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld their qualification.

The club are also working on a deal to bring in Douglas Luiz from Juventus in a permanent move.

The Brazilian midfielder joined Juventus from Aston Villa last summer and made 27 appearances in all competitions, 19 of which came in Serie A.

Forest remain interested in Manchester City youngster Rico Lewis, who can play across the back line or as a defensive midfielder.

Lewis featured 48 times for City last season, starting 37 matches and contributing two goals and five assists.

Earlier today, Forest officially announced the signing of Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich Town for a fee of £37.5 million, a club-record transfer.

They have also secured James McAtee from Manchester City in a package worth £30 million.

These moves add to earlier arrivals this summer, with Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus joining from Botafogo, Dan Ndoye arriving from Bologna, and goalkeeper Angus Gunn completing a free transfer.

Kalimuendo is expected to provide competition for Chris Wood, who led Forest with 20 goals last season.

Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has made strengthening the attack a priority as Forest look to compete on multiple fronts.

The signing of Kalimuendo would give the squad another proven scorer and further underline the club’s intent to build a squad capable of competing in Europe.