Aston Villa rejects Nottingham Forest's bid for promising young talent

Aston Villa have turned down Nottingham Forest's proposal to sign academy graduate Lamare Bogarde. This decision highlights Villa's selective approach to managing their young talents, despite ongoing interest from other clubs.

Aston Villa's productive youth system has consistently developed players who attract significant interest from other clubs. Villa have sold several academy products, including Aaron Ramsey, Jaden Philogene, Cameron Archer, and Omari Kellyman. Notably, some players, such as Philogene, who rejoined Villa after a successful 2023/24 season with Hull, have returned to the club due to clauses in their contracts.

Despite Villa's recent sales, the club have not adopted a blanket policy of selling all their prospects at the earliest opportunity. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Nottingham Forest recently attempted to secure a permanent deal for Lamare Bogarde, a 20-year-old Dutch defender who joined Villa's youth setup in the 2020-21 season. Forest's interest reportedly included a potential £4 million deal, but Villa opted to retain Bogarde.

Instead of a permanent transfer, Villa are only open to a loan move for Bogarde, provided it benefits all parties involved. This decision reflects Villa's commitment to Bogarde's development and their long-term plans for him. The club are keen to extend Bogarde's contract beyond the upcoming campaign, reflecting their belief in his potential.

Bogarde's first-team experience with Villa includes a notable appearance in the FA Cup third round against Liverpool in 2021, where he played 65 minutes in a heavily depleted squad due to COVID-19. Following this, Bogarde had two loan spells at Bristol Rovers, accumulating 36 appearances in League One. He spent the latter half of the last season with Villa's Under-21s, further honing his skills.

While a permanent move to Nottingham Forest is off the table, Bogarde's future remains bright. Villa are considering loan options, with interest reportedly coming from Championship clubs and teams abroad. Romano notes that "many clubs" are keen on acquiring Bogarde, but Villa will only approve a move that aligns with their development plans for the player.