Nottingham Forest look set to beat a number of rivals to the signing of AFC Wimbledon youngster Junior Nkeng.
The 19-year-old has become one of the more talked-about young players in League One after a strong season at Wimbledon. Forest are now closing in on a deal for the former Tottenham Hotspur academy player, with the transfer expected to cost an initial £850,000.
Forest beat Championship and Premier League competition
Nkeng’s rise has attracted plenty of attention.
Several clubs from both the Championship and Premier League had been watching the youngster, with Norwich City, Millwall and Queens Park Rangers among those linked with him.
Nottingham Forest now appear to have won the race.
According to TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey, Forest are set to pay £850,000 up front, with the total potentially climbing to £1m once add-ons are included.
It’s a significant move for a young player who only broke into the first team during the last year.
Junior Nkeng came through at Tottenham before being released and later went to AFC Wimbledon academy. He made his first senior start for Wimbledon against Reading in the EFL Cup in August 2025.
His breakout season followed with a loan spell in non-league football. Since then, he went on to play 24 times in League One for Wimbledon and has also scored his first senior brace.
Nkeng can play more than one position
One of the more interesting parts of Nkeng’s development has been his versatility to operate in different positions.
He has been used in the attacking three as well as at wing-back. Despite that flexibility, the youngster has made it clear where he feels most comfortable.
His preferred position is on the left wing.
“Back in Spain, I loved playing as a left-winger, because Cristiano Ronaldo was my favourite player!”, says Junior Nkeng
Nkeng has also spoken about how quickly his career has changed since leaving Tottenham.
“Making my professional debut at 16, as a scholar, was amazing. Being involved in the first-team setup as well when I’m that young is probably something that, if you told me after I was released at Tottenham, I probably would say, ‘nah, no way!”
That journey now looks set to take another step forward with a move to the City Ground.
There will be plenty of competition for places at Nottingham Forest. An immediate loan could be an option once the deal is completed. A spell back in the EFL would give Junior Nkeng another chance to play regularly and continue his development.
For now, the priority is getting the transfer over the line. Forest appear to have moved ahead of their rivals, and a deal worth up to £1m could soon bring one of League One’s brightest young talents to the club.
