The 23-year-old only joined Forest last year in a €35m move from Strasbourg. David Rogers/Getty ImagesAug. 25, 2026 4:41 am EDT Updated Dilane Bakwa is set to return to France, with Lille close to agreeing a deal with Nottingham Forest to sign him on a season long loan.The winger only arrived at the City Ground in a €35million (£29.3m) move from Strasbourg in September last year, and Forest felt they had landed one of the brightest young talents in Europe.However, the 23-year-old has struggled to make a significant impact at Forest, where he has made only six Premier League starts, along with eight substitute appearances. Bakwa also made eight Europa League appearances for the club, including three starts.Bakwa, who had scored ten goals in 64 league appearances for Strasbourg, failed to find the net for Forest, during a campaign that saw four different managers take the helm.But with Oliver Glasner favouring a 3-4-2-1 formation that does not naturally favour attacking wide men, Bakwa’s opportunities might have again been limited at the City Ground.Lille, who are managed by Davide Ancelotti, the son of Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti, won their opening Ligue 1 game of the season at Angers on Sunday.Forest take on Leeds United in the Carabao Cup second round on Tuesday before returning to Premier League action with a trip to Liverpool on Saturday.