Arjun Menon
Nottingham Forest are reportedly lining up a significant bid for Barış Alper Yılmaz, the Galatasaray forward who’s played a vital role in their recent domestic success.
With Anthony Elanga and Ramón Sosa departing the City Ground, and despite the recent arrival of Igor Jesus from Botafogo, manager Nuno Espírito Santo is keen to add more firepower before the 2025-26 campaign kicks off.
Forest Ready to Table £21.6m Offer
According to Turkish journalist Yakup Çınar, speaking on the Yeni Açık YouTube channel, Forest are preparing a bid worth between €25-30 million (approx. £21.6m–£25.9m) for the versatile Turkish international.
Çınar quotes Yılmaz’s agent, Tuncay Maldan, confirming that Forest’s interest is genuine and serious. The attacker, who has earned 28 caps for Turkey, is also said to have attracted interest from West Ham and Aston Villa during the January window.
What Does Yılmaz Bring?
The 25-year-old played in all 48 matches for Galatasaray last season, scoring 12 goals and providing 3 assists in the Süper Lig. Over four seasons, he’s tallied 25 goals and 20 assists in 156 appearances.
Yılmaz’s versatility and work rate have made him a mainstay under manager Okan Buruk, contributing both on the wings and centrally when needed.
Will Galatasaray Sell?
While Yılmaz is a key part of Buruk’s plans, Galatasaray may be tempted to cash in. The Turkish champions are reportedly targeting Manchester City’s Ederson and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, both high-profile signings that would dramatically increase the club’s wage bill.
Offloading Yılmaz for a substantial fee could help them stay within UEFA’s financial fair play limits, making a summer move plausible if Forest meet the asking price.
Stay tuned as this transfer story develops—Forest may be about to land one of the Süper Lig’s standout talents.