A Steve Cooper signing is expected to return to Nottingham Forest after his loan club decided against a permanent transfer.
The Welshman introduced 21 new faces to the City Ground during the hectic summer of 2022, but not all of them were successful, including those who arrived in the preceding January window.
Several newcomers have been loaned out, including Omar Richards, Lewis O’Brien, Emmanuel Dennis, and Josh Bowler. However, another loanee is poised to return to Nottingham Forest and look for a new club.
Jonathan Panzo returning to Nottingham Forest.
According to Sacha Tavolieri, Standard Liege has opted not to maintain Jonathan Panzo.
The Jupiler Pro League club had agreed to buy the Englishman on a permanent basis at the end of the season if all went smoothly.
Panzo, who signed from Dijon for £1.5 million under Cooper in January 2022, is now returning to the City Ground, where he is anticipated to find a new permanent home.
Tavolieri wrote: “I’ve been assured the option to buy will not be exercised. Panzo returns to NFFC and then searches for another team.”
The 23-year-old has made nine appearances in Belgium since joining Standard Liege in January, following a difficult loan spell at Cardiff in the first half of the season, where he made only four Championship outings.
Nuno Espirito Santo prepares to clear out
According to the Telegraph, not only will Felipe, Harry Arter, Wayne Hennessey, and Cheikhou Kouyate leave the City Ground with Panzo this summer, but Nuno Espirito Santo will say farewell to even more players.
Scott McKenna, Loic Mbe Soh, and the aforementioned Bowler are all out of contracts this summer and anticipated to leave permanently.
Furthermore, it comes after Orel Mangala stated that he hopes Lyon exercise their option to buy him on a permanent basis this summer, implying that the squad turnover at the City Ground might be massive.
Having said that, it should leave plenty of room on the pay tab for Nottingham Forest to make some signings.
