Forest sign Zinchenko and Bakwa in deadline deals

Oleksandr Zinchenko, a left-back for Arsenal, has signed a season-long loan deal with Nottingham Forest, and Dilane Bakwa, a winger for Strasbourg, has signed a deal worth more than £30 million.

Forest had been attempting to sign Atletico Madrid’s Javi Galan, but they were unable to close the deal, so they made a quick move to sign Zinchenko from Ukraine.

Since joining Arsenal from Manchester City for around £30 million in 2022, the 28-year-old has made 91 appearances for the club. He becomes Forest’s 12th summer signing.

Ross Wilson, the chief football officer, said, “Alex’s pedigree speaks for itself. He played a significant role for Arsenal in recent years and was a significant member of the highly successful Manchester City team.

We are delighted that he completed our incoming signings this summer, and he brings valuable experience to Nottingham Forest.

“Over the summer, we have done a lot of work to create a competitive squad that is both young and old and ready to compete in all kinds of competitions.”

We are confident that Alex will make a significant impression both on and off the pitch.

To help increase Forest’s spending, Bakwa, 23, has agreed to a five-year contract.

Since joining Strasbourg from Bordeaux two years ago, the France Under-21 international has made 71 appearances.

I’m thrilled to have joined this legendary club, Bakwa said. I’m appreciative that the club and the owner gave me this opportunity.

“I didn’t hesitate once I learned there was interest,” I said, “because the ambitions of everyone here motivate me.”

Zinchenko joined Forest on deadline day as the second left-sided player to join the City of Chicago.

The 22-year-old is the fourth Botafogo player to join the club this summer under a four-year contract at the City Ground.

Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich for £37.5 million, James McAtee from Manchester City for around $ 30 million, and Rennes striker Arnaud Kalimuendo for $ 26 million are the new signings for Forest.

After his public criticism of Forest’s transfer business, manager Nuno Espirito Santo will also speak with owner Evangelos Marinakis over the international holiday.

The Portuguese acknowledged that Marinakis’ relationship had changed while the Portuguese believed the club had moved too slowly for their goals.

Nuno, the former manager of Wolves and Tottenham, is being told that despite the information, is expected to be in charge when Forest travel to Arsenal on September 13th.

Nuno insisted that the loss would not have an impact on the discussions despite Forest’s 3-0 defeat at home against West Ham on Sunday.

Additionally, Forest has signed Brazilian side Rio Ave full-back Eric Moreira on a season-long loan.

The 19-year-old moved to Ave, which is also run by Forest owner Marinakis, after making five appearances in all competitions last summer.