Nottingham Forest are the most active Premier League team in the market – no contest. They have made another agreement in Germany – one that should improve their midfield. That’s the plan, at least. Belgian 24-year-old midfielder Orel Mangala is set to join Forest in a $15 million deal from Stuttgart. He’s set to become Forest’s 11th signing of the close-season.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.Some clips of Orel Mangala from midfield..#NFFCpic.twitter.com/bT8jb8QTSR— Callum Castel (@callumcasteln) July 25, 2022 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 the club from central England.According to The Athletic, 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.##NAJAVA_MECA_6521463##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.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.
