Nottingham Forest is working to complete their January window business before the deadline.
The Reds have until 11 p.m. on Monday (February 3) to close deals, and the next four days figure to be fascinating. With Nuno Espirito Santo’s side sitting high in the Premier League table, keeping track of the appropriate incomings and outgoings is very important.
Aside from re-signing goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey on a short-term contract, Forest are yet to welcome any new players. Heading in the opposite direction, defender Andrew Omobamidele has been the lone big exit with a loan deal to Strasbourg completed last week.
The City Ground has been relatively quiet this month, but arrivals and departures are still conceivable before next week’s deadline. Below, we look at the current state of play on some of the important transactions that the Reds could approve.
Forest’s efforts to sign a striker, Yoane Wissa, were unsuccessful during the summer transfer window. They still have a few days to add more firepower this time around.
Several players have been linked to the Reds, including Brentford forward Wissa. They have already had one bid, reportedly for between £18 and £22 million, rejected, but are expected to attempt again.
Bees manager Thomas Frank has reiterated his earlier statement that the 28-year-old is “not for sale”. He stated the following last week: “He has been our leading number nine and done fantastic, so I cannot see why we should sell him.”
Since then, Wissa has responded to concerns about his future and reaffirmed Forest’s interest in him. In a translated interview, he added: “It’s true that I’m focused on Brentford at the moment, but we’ll see what happens.”
Douglas Luiz
The Reds have been linked with the Juventus midfielder, but it appears they will face stiff competition to capture his services. Manchester City has also been linked with an interest, and Luiz is thought to prefer a move to the City Ground over the reigning Premier League champions.
City apparently want a direct loan for the 26-year-old, but it appears that will not suffice for Juve. The Italian heavyweights are thought to desire a permanent move or a loan with the option to buy. The player’s price tag has been rumored to be between €50 and 45 million (£42 to 37 million).
According to the Brazilian daily Bolavip, Forest are “trying” to recruit Luiz and are “willing to make a bigger investment” than their Premier League opponents. The player’s agents are claimed to be “in frequent contact” with European clubs as a move is pursued. Chelsea, Manchester United, and Fulham are also believed to be interested. Finances will undoubtedly influence the number and type of signings the Reds make.
Emmanuel Dennis
Trying to find a trade for a player who hasn’t played competitively since April was always going to be difficult. With a reported income of around £4 million, the situation gets much more difficult.
Dennis is expected to return to Watford, from whence he joined Forest in 2022 and spent part of the previous season on loan. Sheffield Wednesday and Rangers have also been connected, and the attacker could pursue another opportunity abroad, possibly in Saudi Arabia.
Lewis O’Brien
Preston North End joined the list of clubs rumored to be interested in the midfielder. Burnley, Blackburn Rovers, and Hull City have all been connected before.
O’Brien’s loan with Los Angeles FC officially ended on December 31, and it appears that the MLS club has decided against signing him on a permanent basis. He is in a similar situation to Dennis in that his earnings may be a stumbling barrier in getting a move.
According to the Lancashire Post, Preston may struggle to make room on the salary bill for O’Brien. The fact that they already have Josh Bowler on loan from Forest complicates matters. The Lilywhites appear willing to let the winger leave early, but without a recall clause in his contract, this is proving tough.
