Nottingham Forest are on the cusp of bolstering their squad with the acquisition of Aston Villa's versatile youngster Lamare Bogarde. The 20-year-old Dutch prodigy is set to make the switch to the City Ground for a reported fee of £4 million as per Fabrizio Romano.
Bogarde's journey at Aston Villa has been characterised by scarce first-team chances since his arrival from Feyenoord's academy in September 2020. The young Dutchman's sole senior appearance came in an FA Cup tie against Liverpool in 2021, when Villa were forced to field an academy side due to a Covid-19 outbreak.
Despite his limited exposure to top-flight football, Bogarde's potential has not gone unnoticed. Equally adept in midfield and defence, the Dutch youth international possesses a skill set that has caught the eye of Nottingham Forest's management.
Bogarde spent the 2023 season on loan at League One side Bristol Rovers. The youngster made 36 appearances across two half-seasons, showcasing his adaptability and promise. However, his stint was cut short in January 2024 following a change in management at the Memorial Stadium.
Under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest are keen to strengthen their squad following a summer of change. The potential signing of Bogarde follows the arrivals of goalkeeper Carlos Miguel from Corinthians and midfielder Marko Stamenic from Red Star Belgrade.
The acquisition of Bogarde would add depth and versatility to Forest's ranks as they look to establish themselves in the Premier League. The Dutchman's ability to operate in multiple positions could prove invaluable as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are witnessing a departure of a superstar and promising youngsters this summer. Douglas Luiz's move from Villa to Juventus is on the verge of completion, with a medical expected this week. Tim Iroegbunam recently secured a £9 million transfer to Everton, while Omari Kellyman is close to finalising a £19 million switch to Chelsea.
Bogarde could become the latest academy graduate to bid farewell to Villa Park as the club navigates financial regulations. The flurry of high-value transfers involving unproven youth players just before the Premier League's accounting deadline on June 30 has raised questions.
Clubs may be taking advantage of a loophole in the rules to register immediate profits while spreading the expenditure over several instalments. This practice, although not unprecedented, could lead to unsustainable long-term financial commitments.
The transfer window continues to throw up intriguing moves. The £4 million deal for the Dutch youngster could prove to be a shrewd piece of business for Forest, while Aston Villa's academy continues to produce talent that attracts interest from across the Premier League.