Nottingham Forest have had a proposed transfer of €20 million for Israeli wing-back Anan Khalaili declined by Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, the club confirmed as talks over their right-sided defensive reinforcement stalled.
Deal fell short of Belgian club’s valuation
The package submitted by Forest was reported to comprise a guaranteed €17.5m with an additional €2.5m in performance- and appearance-related add-ons, plus a modest sell-on clause. That offer does not match the approximate €28m fee that Union Saint-Gilloise reportedly agreed with Inter Milan earlier in July.
Khalaili, who turned 21 this year, joined RUSG in the summer of 2024 for around €6.5m from Maccabi Haifa. He played a part in Union’s first Belgian title for nine decades and featured in the following season’s Champions League, scoring three times in eight appearances. The player has also won 16 caps for Israel and is under contract at Union until 2028.
Why Khalaili was of interest to Forest
Sources close to Forest’s recruitment operation say the club see Khalaili as a natural fit for the right wing-back role Glasner prefers. The Austrian head coach demands significant stamina and tactical discipline from players in that position; Khalaili’s profile — able to operate either as a wing-back or further forward on the right — matched those requirements.
- Age: 21
- Positions: right wing-back / winger
- International caps: 16 for Israel
- Contract: runs until 2028
Other clubs, notably Bournemouth and Newcastle, have been linked with the player this summer, increasing the competition for his signature. Forest had also been linked with Feyenoord’s 20-year-old defender Givairo Read as an alternative, but were unable to reach terms for that target.
Next steps for Forest
With Union expected to hold out for a fee closer to Inter’s earlier package, Nottingham Forest must now decide whether to increase their offer, explore alternative targets or pursue a different route to fill the right wing-back vacancy. Khalaili’s physical attributes — at around 6ft tall — and attacking instincts were seen as attractive by Forest’s coaching team, who have indicated a desire to add both pace and physical presence to the squad.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Forest offer | €17.5m guaranteed + €2.5m bonuses + small sell-on fee |
| Inter reported fee | Approximately €28m |
| Player contract | Until 2028 |
Supporters will be watching closely over the coming days as clubs across Europe seek to conclude deals before transfer windows close. For Forest, the outcome of negotiations for a player of Khalaili’s profile will be an early indicator of how active the club intend to be in meeting the head coach’s recruitment brief.
