The latest Nottingham Forest transfer verdict as Nuno Espirito Santo’s Reds approach the summer window deadline.
Nuno Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest’s head coach, made it clear at the outset of the summer that getting transfer business done early benefits the club.
The Reds are in a terrific position as the window closes, having previously laid a solid foundation. They have till 11 p.m. on August 30 to finalize Nuno’s squad.
So far, seven signings have taken place. Nuno’s squad this season will include goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, defenders Eric da Silva Moreira and Nikola Milenkovic, midfielder Elliot Anderson, and wingers Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa, while midfielder Marko Stamenic will be loaned out to Olympiacos, which is owned by Evangelos Marinakis.
Forest still has a few gaps to fill. Prior to the deadline, it is critical to strengthen the pitch’s top end.
This season would undoubtedly necessitate increased firepower. Forest have improved their options out wide and with the versatile Anderson, but they are looking to add another striker.
The Telegraph reports that at least three forward alternatives are being considered, including Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah and Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez. Front men do not come cheap, and sources say the Reds may have to increase their offers to secure either Gimenez or Nketiah, after initial bids were rejected. In the case of the former, it has been suggested that he may need persuasion to quit the Dutch side.
An ideal scenario would see any agreement reached immediately. It is a critical position, and Forest will want to avoid entering the chaos of deadline day without having it resolved, if possible.
Speaking of deadlines, a perfect summer would see the Reds avoid any last-minute panic buying. They already have the majority of Nuno’s team in place, so regardless of what happens between now and next Friday, they should be able to take a cautious and deliberate approach as the deadline approaches.
“With the market open, anything is conceivable. “One of the most important aspects is keeping the players we have,” Nuno stated last week.
This summer, talk has centered on Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Anthony Elanga, Neco Williams, and Murillo. Although the players appear to be content in Trentside, it remains to be seen whether any of their fans will test Forest’s resolve before the window ends.
Following last season’s four-point deduction, Nuno has stated that he does not anticipate any Profitability and Sustainability Rules difficulties this season. If that also means keeping great players, the Reds and their Portuguese manager will be overjoyed.
They still have some marginal players to offload, however. Trimming numbers has been a focus of this window, and much progress has been done in that regard. If transfers are made for Joe Worrall, Emmanuel Dennis, and Josh Bowler in the coming days, it might cap off a successful summer.
