Former Nottingham Forest Defender Loic Bade Set for Premier League Return with Aston Villa
In a surprising turn of events, former Nottingham Forest defender Loic Bade is reportedly set to return to the Premier League with Aston Villa. According to renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Villa is prepared to advance on a deal for the French centre-back, who had a forgettable spell at the City Ground in 2022.
Bade’s loan stint at Forest was nothing short of disastrous, with the defender failing to make a single appearance for the club. He was recalled by his parent club, Stade Rennais, in January 2022, having only made the matchday squad once. Despite this, Bade has gone on to revive his career at Sevilla, and his impending move to Villa has raised eyebrows among Forest fans.
The 22-year-old’s return to the Premier League could have significant implications for Forest, particularly given the two teams’ proximity in the league table. Villa is currently hot on the heels of Forest and other top-six contenders, and their clash in April could prove pivotal in the race for European football.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been praised for his shrewd transfer business in recent seasons, but the Bade debacle remains a rare misstep. The Greek businessman’s decision to bring in the French defender on loan was seen as a gamble at the time, and it ultimately failed to pay off.
In contrast, Forest’s summer signings have been a resounding success, with the likes of Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic making an instant impact. Anderson, in particular, has been impressive, providing five assists from midfield and helping to offset the injuries to key players Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare.
Milenkovic, meanwhile, has formed a formidable partnership with Murillo at the heart of Forest’s defence. The Serbian centre-back’s signing from Fiorentina for a mere £12 million has been hailed as one of the bargains of the season.
While Forest’s transfer business has been largely successful in recent seasons, the Bade saga serves as a reminder that even the most well-planned deals can go awry. As the French defender prepares to return to the Premier League with Villa, Forest fans will be watching with interest to see how he fares against his former side.
The stakes will be high when Forest and Villa meet in April, with both teams likely to be in contention for a European spot. Bade’s return to the Premier League adds an extra layer of intrigue to the encounter, and Forest fans will be eager to see how their former defender performs against them.
In the meantime, Forest will be focused on maintaining their push for European football. With a crucial run of fixtures on the horizon, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will need to be at their best to stay ahead of the chasing pack. The return of Loic Bade to the Premier League with Villa adds an extra layer of complexity to the equation, but Forest fans will be confident that their team can rise to the challenge.
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