Nottingham Forest reach agreement in principle to sign Orel Mangala from Stuttgart
Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement in principle to sign Orel Mangala from Stuttgart, The Athletic understands. The fee is understood to be in the region of €15million (£12.75million). Though the deal is yet to be finalised, the 24-year-old midfielder looks set to become Forest's 11th signing of the summer. Mangala, who has been capped twice by Belgium, featured in 29 games for Stuttgart last season as the German side finished just above the relegation zone. Manager Steve Cooper is revamping his squad ahead of Forest's first top-flight campaign in 23 years. The Premier League newcomers completed deals to sign Jesse Lingard, Lewis O'Brien and Harry Toffolo last week. Brandon Aguilera, Wayne Hennessey, Neco Williams, Omar Richards, Moussa Niakhate, Giulian Biancone and Taiwo Awoniyi have also joined Forest this summer. This will be Forest's first season in the Premier League since 1998-99, with the club promoted after beating Huddersfield Town in the play-off final last spring. (Photo: Thomas Kienzle/picture alliance via Getty Images) GO DEEPER Forest wooed Lingard - and are aiming for more transfer shocks PAUL TAYLOR, NOTTINGHAM FOREST CORRESPONDENT: Steve Cooper has spoken in recent weeks about the need to bolster his options in the centre of the pitch and Mangala will certainly do that. Mangala is a creative influence in the final third who is very strong at carrying the ball. Defensively, he is not hugely powerful but, along with Lewis O’Brien, the recent signing from Huddersfield, he will bring an element of dynamism and intelligence in midfield. Forest will still want to add some physical presence in midfield, if possible, but the addition of Mangala will help address one area of the pitch where Forest had looked a little short of numbers – a situation that has only been underlined by Ryan Yates’ recent knee injury.
Orel Mangala: Nottingham Forest agree £12.7m transfer deal for Stuttgart midfielder
Nottingham Forest have agreed a £12.7m deal to sign Stuttgart midfielder Orel Mangala, who is set to become the newly-promoted side's 12th summer signing. The 24-year-old will have his Forest medical on Tuesday with the deal set to take Forest's summer spending to £73.5m. The Belgian international made 29 appearances across all competitions for the German side last season, scoring one goal. Mangala also made his Belgium international debut in March against Ireland. Forest are still working on a deal to sign Real Betis left-back Alex Moreno, who made 45 appearances in all competitions last season for the La Liga side. Image: Real Betis left-back Alex Moreno is a Forest target The Spaniard's contract at Betis - where the 29-year-old has been for the last three seasons, is up in 2025. Busy Forest set to add Mangala ahead of PL return Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Stuart Broad shares his excitement for Nottingham Forest's summer transfer window, including the signing of Jesse Lingard.