Nottingham Forest
nottingham forest discuss all their plans for the transfer window with the financial clause
The early days of January might well have set the tone for Nottingham Forest’s transfer window.
The main focus was always going to be on overseeing outgoings. That was the case when Steve Cooper was still in charge, and Nuno Espirito Santo has been clear about wanting to work with a smaller squad ever since his appointment as head coach last month.
The early days of January might well have set the tone for Nottingham Forest’s transfer window.
The main focus was always going to be on overseeing outgoings. That was the case when Steve Cooper was still in charge, and Nuno Espirito Santo has been clear about wanting to work with a smaller squad ever since his appointment as head coach last month.
Nuno has spoken about “hard decisions” needing to be made about who stays and who goes. But he wanted to properly assess his squad first, ensuring it was a clean slate for all players.
“That’s obvious,” Nuno said last week when it was put to him that he has a bloated dressing room. “For now, we have to focus on the players that are here. Trying to give every player a chance to improve, that’s our responsibility.
“I truly believe individually they can improve. We’ve seen players that are in a good moment and it will be a good chance for everyone. Then will be the moment to make decisions about the squad and all of these things. For now, what we’re doing is taking care of how we can put all the details in to improve them so they can do better for Forest.”
Santos’ fellow loanees Divock Origi, Nuno Tavares and Gonzalo Montiel have all been linked with returns to their parent clubs. However, in the case of Montiel, at least, his recent impressive form may well have changed the situation. He caught the eye with his displays against Newcastle United and Manchester United, setting up Argentine countryman Nicolas Dominguez for the opener against the latter.
Montiel had been struggling for game time under Cooper but could now have a part to play under Nuno. Likewise, defender Joe Worrall.
There is still some uncertainty around Worrall’s future – and he does have admirers – but he has been brought back into the fold under the Portuguese boss. And with Willy Boly and Moussa Niakhate on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Felipe injured, the Nigel Doughty Academy graduate is likely to be required to play, at least in the short-term.
However, the situation is unlikely to change for Scott McKenna. The promotion-winner is out of contract in the summer and appears set to move on this month. Celtic are among the clubs linked with his signature.
Forest have been keen to strengthen at centre-back. They want a right-sided equivalent of Murillo – a defender who is comfortable on the ball and can pick a pass. Reports from Brazil had claimed they were close to signing Nino from Fluminense, but the suggestion is he is now set for a move to Zenit St Petersburg.
Bolstering Nuno’s attacking resources would also be welcome. The Reds will have to be clever about their business, though, as their financial situation is currently in the spotlight.
Forest do not need another big overhaul. They could get by with a few key additions. Indeed, while a striker may once have been a priority, the fact Nuno has got Chris Wood firing takes away a little of the urgency for forward reinforcements. Taiwo Awoniyi could also be back sooner than expected from groin surgery, which would only further add to the debate over whether another forward is actually needed.
It remains to be seen, too, whether Nuno feels a new goalkeeper is required. Summer signings Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos have not been convincing, but with funds tight and other areas to target, the Reds might well focus attention elsewhere.
In addition to Financial Fair Play, having six players absent for the Africa Cup of Nations will impact the club’s plans. Niakhate, Boly, Cheikhou Kouyate, Serge Aurier, Ibrahim Sangare and Ola Aina could miss up to four Premier League games, depending on how their countries progress. Forest will not want to be left short of options in certain areas, so players who might otherwise have been classed as potential departures could still be required to feature.
Nevertheless, loans could be seen as best for the development of younger players such as Brandon Aguilera and George Shelvey. Goalkeeper Ethan Horvath is also likely to be among the exits, having been left out of the 25-man squad and with his contract up in the summer.
