Nuno Espirito Santo has a January deadline, therefore Nottingham Forest is in the middle of a transfer.

Nottingham Forest head into the final days of the January transfer window with plenty of work still to do.

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has said he expects a “busy” finish to the window, although the Reds are expected to oversee more outgoings than incomings before Thursday’s deadline. Trimming the squad was always going to be a priority this month, and Nuno has made no secret of his wish to work with a more streamlined group.

Forest’s Premier League charge for breaching Profitability and Sustainability rules is also having an impact on their transfer business. The club are keen to show they are taking the charge seriously, which means it is unlikely they will splash the cash to any great degree.

They do still want to add a few key additions, but the aim is to break even or make a small net profit this month. As deadline day looms, we take a look at the current transfer state of play at the City Ground.

Potential incomings

Injuries at the top end of the pitch have highlighted the need for Forest to bolster their attacking options this month. It is an area where they lack strength in depth. If they can add a winger and a striker, it would certainly be a great help.

Nuno, who is said to be fairly hands-on with transfer dealings, is keen to bring in players with the versatility to operate in a few different positions. “More than ever that is important. It is very specific, because it allows you to reduce the numbers but to still have the options you want,” he has said.

Interest in wide man Carlos Borges had been reignited. The Reds had the teenager on their radar last summer before he joined Ajax from Manchester City, and a loan deal to bring him back to the Premier League was being eyed.

However, Ajax boss John van ‘t Schip has ruled out a departure for the 19-year-old. He has said a move “is simply not possible” for the time being due to the Dutch club’s lack of options.

Additionally, it appears Forest face a fight for Borussia Dortmund winger Gio Reyna. The Guardian report Sevilla are trying to pip the Reds to his signature, while Marseille have also been linked.

“Gio hasn’t approached me and expressed a desire to leave. Therefore, it is not an issue for me at the moment,” Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic told BVB Buzz.

Meanwhile, it seems Forest have had a change of heart regarding the goalkeeper situation. They had not been planning to strengthen between the posts this month, but have now been linked with Anderlecht’s former Leicester City stopper Kasper Schmeichel and RB Leipzig’s Peter Gulacsi.

Possible outgoings

As much as the Reds want to move some players on this month, they have also been faced with a fine balancing act. Nuno is still without 10 players due to a combination of injuries and players on duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Morgan Gibbs-White returned from an abdominal issue for Friday night’s 0-0 FA Cup draw with Bristol City, but the visitors still had to field a number of youngsters on the bench. The squad has been stretched. Nevertheless, the club will try to oversee some exits before Thursday’s deadline.