Sean Dyche confirmed Nottingham star asked to to leave the club in a shock move that rocked the whole city ground

Nottingham Forest in Turmoil: Dyche Confirms Star Striker’s January Transfer Plea

Nottingham Forest’s fragile Premier League survival bid has been dealt a crushing blow after manager Sean Dyche disclosed that summer signing Arnaud Kalimuendo has handed in a formal transfer request to depart in January. The 23-year-old French forward, who arrived from Rennes for a club-record £26 million in August, has been frozen out under Dyche’s regime, sparking his desperate bid for the exit.

In a raw post-match interview following Forest’s gritty 1-1 draw with West Ham, Dyche laid bare the internal drama without pulling punches. “Arnaud’s a quality lad with real potential—we brought him here to fire us up the table,” the no-nonsense Englishman admitted, his brow furrowed in evident frustration. “But he’s not getting the minutes he craves, and he’s told me straight: he needs to play regularly to keep developing. I’ve got to respect that. If the right offer comes, we’ll talk. It’s football; egos and ambitions clash sometimes.

“Kalimuendo’s plight is stark. Since Dyche’s appointment in October amid a dismal start that saw Forest languish in the relegation zone, the ex-PSG youth product has mustered just two Premier League minutes—a solitary substitute cameo against Arsenal. His exclusion has fueled speculation, with Serie A giants AS Roma and Bundesliga outfit VfB Stuttgart circling. Reports suggest Roma view him as a backup to elusive target Joshua Zirkzee, while Stuttgart seek a prolific No. 9 to bolster their European push. Forest, keen to recoup their investment, could demand £20 million-plus, though Dyche insists: “We’re not fire-selling. He stays if it suits us.”

This revelation hits hard for a side already grappling with injuries to key men like Ola Aina and Murillo. Dyche, tasked with steadying the ship after sacking Ange Postecoglou, now faces a squad morale crisis just as results flicker with hope—a first win under his watch against Crystal Palace last week. “This isn’t a distraction; it’s a reality check,” he growled. “We’ll regroup, reinforce if we can, and fight like hell.”Supporters are reeling. #KeepKalimuendo has trended on social media, with one fan venting: “Dyche’s tough love is breaking us—Arnaud deserves better!” Others applaud the transparency, echoing Dyche’s Everton ethos. As January looms, Forest’s window could define their season: offload Kalimuendo for funds, or risk a dressing-room revolt? For Dyche, master of gritty escapes, this is his sternest test yet at the City Ground.