Nottingham Forest’s turbulent summer transfer window has taken another dramatic twist with confirmation that winger Dilane Bakwa has officially completed a season-long loan move to French powerhouse LOSC Lille.
The 24-year-old’s departure marks the second temporary exit sanctioned by the Reds in a matter of hours, following young full-back Eric da Silva Moreira’s loan switch to Dutch Eredivisie outfit Excelsior Rotterdam.
As newly-appointed manager Oliver Glasner aggressively trims his bloated squad and reshapes the team for the challenges ahead, Bakwa’s sudden return to his homeland signals the end of a frustrating chapter at the City Ground—while offering the former France Under-21 international an unexpected lifeline in Europe’s elite competition.
Why Bakwa’s City Ground Career Stalled
Bakwa arrived at Nottingham Forest last summer amid high expectations following a promising stint with Strasbourg. However, adjusting to the relentless physical demands of the Premier League proved to be an uphill battle.
Throughout the flux and chaos of a tumultuous campaign last year, the dynamic winger struggled to cement a permanent spot in the starting XI. He managed just 24 total appearances across all competitions, a meager six of which came as Premier League starts.
With Oliver Glasner taking the managerial reins and conducting a thorough evaluation of his squad—coupled with the harsh reality that Forest have no European campaign this season to hand out fringe-player minutes—the writing was firmly on the wall. Rather than letting the winger stagnate on the bench, Forest opted to facilitate a move back to France.
A Dream Champions League Lifeline at Lille
While Bakwa’s time in the East Midlands didn’t go according to plan, his career has suddenly received a massive, high-profile boost.
The winger is heading straight to Davide Ancelotti’s LOSC Lille side, who are coming off an impressive third-place finish in Ligue 1. Lille kicked off their new domestic campaign in style with a 2-0 victory over Angers and, crucially, secured qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
For Bakwa, the transfer represents a golden opportunity to feature on European football’s biggest stage while returning to a familiar domestic environment. Despite sealing a temporary exit, Bakwa’s long-term future remains tied to the City Ground for now, as he still has four years remaining on his contract with the Reds.
In an official club statement, Nottingham Forest wished the player well for the campaign ahead:
“Everyone at Nottingham Forest wishes Dilane the very best for the season ahead.”
Squad Overhaul Continues at the City Ground
Bakwa’s departure coincides with fellow youngster Eric da Silva Moreira heading out on loan to Excelsior Rotterdam as part of a long-term strategic plan to groom the 20-year-old for future first-team action.
However, while Glasner successfully streamlines the fringes of his squad, attention remains fiercely focused on incoming business. With a club-record £45m deal for Chelsea striker Liam Delap nearing completion and further reinforcements expected before the fast-approaching transfer deadline, Forest are undergoing a massive transformation.
As the Reds prepare for the remainder of the Premier League season, clearing out unused assets like Bakwa ensures the club remains primed, focused, and financially flexible for a thrilling campaign ahead!
