Nottingham Forest Lead Race for Roma Defender Jan Ziółkowski Amid €20m Transfer Standoff

Jan Ziółkowski has become one of this summer's most compelling transfer stories out of AS Roma. 

The 20-year-old Polish centre-back joined Roma in August 2025, and his contract runs until June 2030. But despite that long-term commitment, a departure is becoming an increasingly realistic option. 

According to SportsBoom, Nottingham Forest, Brighton and AFC Bournemouth are all tracking Ziolkowski. 

West Ham United's name had also entered the conversation, but the club's relegation to the Championship has significantly weakened that scenario.

Roma's stance is clear. The club are demanding approximately €20-25 million for Ziolkowski. 

Nottingham Forest's representatives have already sat down at the table, verbally proposing a valuation of around €15 million for the defender, a figure that reportedly includes bonuses. Roma's hierarchy considered that proposal insufficient and turned it down. 

Why Roma Wants to Sell

Roma have secured Champions League qualification. That achievement brings prestige but also demands a fundamental reshaping of the squad. The Champions League requires ready and reliable players. Ziolkowski, at this stage, has not yet fully established that level of trust within the club. 

Internal assessments suggest the young Pole could face limited playing time if he remains.

That reality creates a critical crossroads for both player and club. Ziolkowski is 20-years-old and at the most important developmental stage of his career. Regular football at this age takes priority over everything else. Being a first-choice starter elsewhere rather than a squad option at Roma could be a far healthier decision for his long-term career trajectory. 

Nottingham Forest Lead the Chase

The club who have taken the most concrete steps in this race are Nottingham Forest. Their representatives were the first to sit down at the table, putting forward a verbal valuation for Ziolkowski. 

The €15 million proposal was rejected by Roma, but that contact demonstrates Forest genuinely wants this transfer done. 

According to sources close to SportsBoom, Forest are assessing Ziolkowski as a priority target as part of their defensive reinforcement plan. 

If agreement can be reached with Roma around the €20 million mark, this transfer could be finalised quickly. The gap currently stands at €5-10 million. Clever bonus structuring could close that distance.

Forest’s current first-choice centre-back Murillo is also attracting strong interest, with Newcastle United among the Premier League clubs monitoring his situation closely. 

Brighton and Bournemouth: Low-Priority Interest

Brighton and Bournemouth have both been mentioned, but for neither club is Ziolkowski a priority target. 

The interest currently amounts to passive monitoring. 

No active pursuit and no concrete contact has been reported. Both clubs are focused on other positional priorities, leaving this file on the back burner for now. However, that could change. 

If Forest fails to get this deal over the line, Brighton and Bournemouth could move into sharper focus.