Nottingham Forest transfer exit was a 'good choice' as 'complicated' admission made

Orel Mangala left Nottingham Forest in January to join Lyon on loan

Orel Mangala’s departure from Nottingham Forest was a ‘good choice’ – according to the agent of Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.

The 25-year-old arrived at the City Ground in July 2022 from German Bundesliga side VFB Stuttgart for a reported £12 million transfer fee. He made 31 appearances during his debut season in Garibaldi Red and played a key role under former Forest boss Steve Cooper as the Reds secured their top-flight status for another season.

But the Belgium international struggled for game time following the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo. His role under Nuno saw him change from being a regular starter to a player who is often used as a substitute.

And Melissa Onana, agent and sister of the Everton midfielder, has offered her verdict on Mangala’s departure, believing that it was a ‘good choice’ amid his lack of game time. “I know the club a bit, Nottingham, and leaving is a good choice,” she said on the Sacha Tavolieri’s YouTube show Le Noyau Dur, via SportWitness.

“Firstly, leaving the Premier League is very difficult. The mentality in England, I like it a lot. It’s really a football country. One the sporting conditions side, the financial aspect too, let’s not lie, that plays a part.

“With that in mind, if he leaves, there has to be a specific reason, because you can’t tell me that there’s not other clubs on the table. Leaving the Premier League is very complicated, so there has to be a reason.”

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