Nottingham Forest revive Baris Yilmaz interest after 20-goal season

Nottingham Forest have reportedly renewed their interest in Galatasaray attacker Baris Yilmaz after the Turkey international delivered the best season of his career.

Forest are no strangers to the 26-year-old. They made two formal offers for him last year but refused to meet Galatasaray's €40 million valuation, allowing other clubs to enter the picture. After Yilmaz contributed to 20 league goals during the 2025/26 campaign, the competition for his signature has intensified.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Nottingham Forest have made moves for Yilmaz as Galatasaray prepare for the possibility of losing one of their most important attacking players.

The Premier League club face significant competition. Napoli and AS Roma are both credited with strong interest, while several other English sides have been linked with the Turkey international over recent months.

Forest's renewed pursuit is particularly notable because of their previous efforts to sign him. Galatasaray rejected two offers from the Midlands club last summer and held out for €40 million, a figure Forest were unwilling to reach.

Yilmaz's subsequent progress means there is little reason to expect his valuation to have fallen.

The 2025/26 season strengthened Yilmaz's reputation considerably. He contributed to 20 goals in the Turkish top flight and also found the net in the Champions League, demonstrating that his influence was not limited to domestic competition.

His versatility is likely to be a major part of Forest's interest. Yilmaz can operate across several attacking positions, giving his manager the option to use him on either flank or in more central areas.

Based on the attacking profiles Forest have targeted in recent windows, that flexibility could make him particularly valuable. He combines direct running with the ability to influence matches in the final third, while his experience in European competition means he would arrive with a substantial senior pedigree.

The question is whether Forest are prepared to pay what Galatasaray demand this time.

Galatasaray are reportedly aware that Yilmaz could leave this summer and have started assessing possible replacements.

One option is Noa Lang, who spent the second half of last season on loan at the Turkish club from Napoli. Although his goal contributions were limited, his one-against-one ability made an impression during his spell in Istanbul.

That planning does not necessarily mean Galatasaray are actively trying to sell Yilmaz. Instead, it suggests they are preparing for different scenarios as interest grows from England and Italy.

The Turkish club were demanding €40 million last year, and Yilmaz has since produced arguably the strongest campaign of his career. Any expectation that Forest could now secure him cheaply would therefore appear unrealistic.

However, it remains too early to know whether Galatasaray will set a new asking price or whether any interested club is ready to submit a formal offer.

Nottingham Forest must decide whether to turn their renewed interest into another concrete bid after failing to reach an agreement last summer.

Napoli and AS Roma provide serious competition, while Galatasaray's search for potential attacking reinforcements will also be worth watching. If the Turkish champions advance their plans for a replacement, that could create a clearer route for Yilmaz to leave.

For now, Forest have an exciting transfer opportunity, but the same obstacle remains: convincing Galatasaray to sell one of their most productive players.

Would Baris Yilmaz take Nottingham Forest's attack to another level, or should the club avoid another expensive battle with Galatasaray?