Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest must make a crucial transfer choice in January

Published

10 months ago

January 19, 2024

It didn’t take Brandon Aguilera long to make an impression on his Nottingham Forest teammates when he linked up with them last summer.

The Costa Rican had immediately gone out on loan when he put pen to paper for the Reds 12 months earlier in 2022, so the build-up to this term was his first opportunity to really catch the eye with his parent club. And he did just that.

He impressed when given opportunities in pre-season friendlies. And after showing off his skills on a training camp in Spain, defender Moussa Niakhate quipped: “Brandon, what a baller!”

Aguilera has had to be patient since then; getting a look-in with the first-team has not been easy. But when the chance came around, he grasped it.

The 20-year-old put in a really positive cameo appearance against Blackpool in the FA Cup on Wednesday night. He looked bright and eager to make an impact. He appeared assured and confident, too.

And he has given the Reds a big January decision to make. Aguilera’s future was always going to be reassessed this month, once it was decided he would spend the first half of the campaign at the City Ground. Former head coach Steve Cooper wanted to keep a close eye on his development before making a call over whether a loan move might be best in the winter window.

Aguilera’s showing against the Seasiders might have helped Cooper’s successor Nuno Espirito Santo make up his mind about what happens next with the youngster. If more opportunities are soon forthcoming, he will certainly have earned them.

The balance Forest must strike is whether remaining Trentside will provide Aguilera with enough minutes to continue his development. They will weigh that up against whether playing more regularly elsewhere would be more beneficial.

The lack of attacking options Nuno currently has at his disposal might play a part in their thinking. Morgan Gibbs-White is expected to be sidelined for another week, while Anthony Elanga is also out, along with strikers Taiwo Awoniyi and Divock Origi. It would not be a surprise if Aguilera is on the bench for Saturday’s trip to Brentford.

The Reds do want to strengthen at the top end of the pitch before the window closes, and Aguilera could soon find chances hard to come by again. But with money tight, keeping him close by would make a lot of sense for Nuno.