Laurent Mendy’s move to Hearts is edging closer, and Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage says the deal could end up being a club-record fee if every add-on is met.
Savage discussed the transfer during Forest Green’s 2-2 pre-season outing against Bristol Rovers, saying the captain’s exit is not being driven by financial pressure. He said owner Dale Vince has made it clear the club does not have to sell Mendy, even if the move does go through.
“It goes to show that any player looking from the lower leagues, all eyes are on this club. You perform, look what can happen,” Savage said, framing the transfer as proof that strong performances at Forest Green can open the door to the highest level.
The Forest Green boss also said the structure of the deal could be significant for the club. “Now it’s nice to get, if it goes through, a club-record fee. If every target is met, it’s close to a million,” he said. “It’s unbelievable, and unbelievable for the boy. It’s not done yet, and when it’s done I’ll speak more in depth about it.”
Mendy, who is Forest Green’s captain, has become the latest example of how the club wants to position itself: a place where lower-league players can earn a move upward if they perform well enough.
What it means for Forest Green Rovers
The immediate football impact is that Savage may soon need to replace a key midfield figure. But he also made it clear the squad should not treat Mendy’s likely departure as a setback that limits the club’s next steps.
“Dale said we don’t have to sell Mendy. If he stays, we can still go and get the targets we need,” Savage said, before adding that the opportunity now falls to other midfielders in the squad. “It’s an opportunity for other midfielders to fill that role and impress me and make me think, ‘I don’t need a replacement for Mendy – I am that replacement for Mendy.’”
That message matters because it suggests Forest Green can pursue both outcomes at once: cash in on a major sale if the deal is completed, and still continue building the squad around it.
More arrivals are expected
Savage also gave an update on incoming business, saying Forest Green expect to bring in a player from Liverpool on Wednesday once the paperwork is finalised. He added that the club has also agreed a forward player, although that deal is still to be completed.
“Hopefully we’re bringing a boy in from Liverpool tomorrow (Wednesday),” Savage said. “The paperwork is just being finalised, and we’ve agreed with a forward player also, yet to be finalised, so there’s two in.”
He said the club are also looking at a centre-half and a left-back, which points to more squad work still to come. For Savage, the bigger picture is creating a group that wants to be there and can compete together.
“There’s a great buzz around training, great togetherness and great energy,” he said. “That’s how we need to be going forward – a group who wants to be here.”
If Mendy does complete the move to Hearts, it will underline a simple point Savage made plainly: Forest Green Rovers are being watched, and strong performances there can lead to major opportunities. “If you want to be here, and you want to play well, and you want to be the best you can be, look what can happen,” he said.
