This piece really delves into the exciting potential that Nottingham Forest is on the cusp of achieving as they near the end of the 2024/25 season. With just a few games left to play, Forest stands on the brink of qualifying for European football, and the implications of that would be monumental for the club. At this stage, the exact competition—whether the Champions League or Europa League—remains to be seen, but what is certain is that a European berth would mark a major achievement for Forest and set the stage for a very different future. For a club that spent so many years outside the Premier League, qualifying for Europe would represent not just a one-off success, but a potential new chapter in their history, where they can regularly compete on the continental stage.

This upcoming qualification could have a massive impact on the kind of players Forest can attract. With the possibility of Champions League football in particular, the club would become a much more enticing proposition for high-quality players looking for the chance to play in Europe’s top competition. It would provide a platform for players to showcase their skills against the best in the world, and that alone would elevate Forest’s stature in the global football landscape. While the exact competition is still uncertain, the prospect of Champions League qualification, in particular, could reshape Forest’s long-term trajectory in a way that few could have imagined just a few years ago.

For a club like Forest, making the jump from Premier League mid-table to securing a spot in the Champions League is no easy feat, and it represents the culmination of a lot of hard work. Manager Steve Cooper has been instrumental in this transformation, having taken the reins during a period of transition and leading them to this point. The strategic decisions from club owner Evangelos Marinakis have also been pivotal. Under Marinakis, Forest has taken a measured approach to the transfer market, focusing more on adding quality over quantity. This philosophy has paid off in recent seasons, as they’ve built a squad capable of not only staying in the Premier League but also challenging for European spots.

If Forest manages to qualify for the Champions League, the next step will be to bolster their squad in a way that allows them to compete at that level. Marinakis has made it clear that he values quality, and this will be even more important when considering signings for the upcoming campaign. The financial rewards that come with Champions League football would allow Forest to make significant moves in the transfer market, targeting players who can take their squad to the next level. With the added revenue from participation in the Champions League, Forest would be able to compete with some of Europe’s top clubs when it comes to attracting players.

What makes this situation even more intriguing is the mention of Kevin De Bruyne in the discussion about potential targets for Forest. While it’s clear that this is more of a hypothetical and unlikely scenario, the mere suggestion that Forest might be interested in such a high-profile player speaks volumes about the direction the club is heading. The fact that pundits are even considering Forest as a potential destination for a world-class player like De Bruyne—arguably one of the greatest midfielders of all time—shows that the perception of the club has shifted. Forest is no longer a team simply fighting to stay in the Premier League; they are becoming a club with ambitions and the potential to challenge the established order.

However, despite the excitement surrounding De Bruyne’s hypothetical departure from Manchester City and the potential for a move to Forest, it’s crucial to understand that this is, at best, a pipe dream. De Bruyne is on an astronomical wage of £400,000 per week at City, and while he is expected to leave the club in the summer of 2025, his future will likely see him head to either a high-paying league like the Middle East or the MLS, where clubs can offer him a lucrative contract. Forest simply cannot compete with those financial resources. Even if the Belgian were to stay in Europe, there would be many more attractive options available, particularly for a player of his stature. The chances of De Bruyne arriving at the City Ground are incredibly slim, but the fact that his name was even mentioned in connection with Forest underlines just how far the club has come in terms of ambition and recognition in the footballing world.

While De Bruyne is, for all practical purposes, out of reach for Forest, it’s important to recognize that the Champions League qualification would open up a world of opportunities for the club. Although they may not be able to attract one of the most expensive players in the world, Forest could still target other high-quality players who are eager to play at the highest level. This could involve players who are looking for a new challenge after spending time at other top clubs or younger talents who want to make a name for themselves on the grandest stage. The Champions League would make Forest an even more appealing destination for these kinds of players, and it’s likely that the club’s recruitment strategy will shift towards attracting players with the experience and pedigree to help them compete in Europe.

Moreover, the Champions League isn’t just about attracting top-tier talent—it also brings with it a tremendous amount of financial power. The ability to offer higher wages and potentially higher transfer fees to incoming players could give Forest a competitive edge in negotiations. Clubs in Europe’s elite competition generally have deeper pockets, and the riches from participating in the Champions League could make Forest a more serious contender in the transfer market. If Marinakis is able to use that financial clout wisely, the club could significantly improve their squad depth, not just for the Champions League but for long-term success in the Premier League as well.

For Forest, securing a place in the Champions League would also be a major milestone in terms of their ongoing project under Cooper. The club has made incredible strides in recent seasons, transforming from a side fighting relegation to one on the cusp of European football. The prospect of playing in the Champions League would be an enormous boost for the club’s profile, attracting even more fans and increasing their global appeal. It would further solidify Forest as a club with a bright future and one that isn’t content with merely surviving in the Premier League but is aiming for sustained success both domestically and in Europe.

In conclusion, while the idea of Kevin De Bruyne joining Nottingham Forest is little more than a pipe dream, it serves to underscore the rising profile of the club. The prospect of qualifying for the Champions League in 2025 would be a game-changing moment for Forest, both in terms of prestige and finances. It would allow them to reshape their transfer strategy, focus on attracting top-level players, and take the next step in their long-term project. Although De Bruyne is far beyond their reach, the future still holds plenty of exciting possibilities for Forest, and they will likely attract a host of talented players who are eager to test themselves on the Champions League stage. The City Ground is on the verge of becoming a real hotspot for top footballing talent, and that could set the stage for a new era in the club’s history.