Latest Nottingham Forest news as the Reds’ manager attempts to slash squad numbers during the summer transfer window.
Nottingham Forest have made it a point to reduce their squad size this summer, as head coach Nuno Espirito Santo prefers to work with a smaller team.
The Reds set the tone from the outset, dismissing six players at the conclusion of their contracts and returning five loanees to their parent clubs. Wayne Hennessey, Felipe, Cheikhou Kouyate, Loic Mbe Soh, Scott McKenna, and Harry Arter all left at the end of June, as did loan players Gonzalo Montiel, Divock Origi, Nuno Tavares, Gio Reyna, and Rodrigo Ribeiro.
Odysseas Vlachodimos, Brandon Aguilera, Orel Mangala, and Moussa Niakhate have all left the club on permanent moves during this window. Jonathan Panzo and new signing Marko Stamenic moved out on loan earlier this summer.
There is still work to be done, though, and we’ve looked at the players who have question marks over their futures at the City Ground.
Joe Worrall: Following the Reds’ inaugural friendly against Chesterfield, Nuno stated that choices will be made regarding players who had returned from loan periods. “We have to take a good look at all of the aspects and decide what is best for them and their careers,” the nation’s leader stated.
Worrall falls into that category, having spent the latter half of last season on loan at Besiktas. He is anticipated to transfer this summer, marking the end of an era for the Nigel Doughty Academy graduate. Sheffield United is still interested, but anything might happen toward the end of the transfer window.
Matt Turner: The arrival of Brazilian Carlos Miguel has pushed the American farther down the rankings. He is now the third-choice goalkeeper, with Miguel and Matz Sels competing for the number one spot.
Turner’s decision to move to the City Ground a year ago was influenced by the allure of game time; will he be content to see even less of it this time around? He is rumored to be interested in the Major League Soccer (MLS).
Josh Bowler: The winger’s lack of jubilation after scoring against Chesterfield appeared to indicate that he plans to move on in the coming weeks. Nuno’s failure to include Bowler in his list of winger alternatives was just another hint that his future lay away from Trentside.
Since joining the Reds in the summer of 2022, the former Blackpool player has already been loaned out several times. It would undoubtedly benefit all parties if a permanent changeover could be completed this summer.
Emmanuel Dennis: Some have questioned whether the attacker should be part of Nuno’s plans for the coming season. Forest need more options at the top end of the pitch, so could Dennis do a job?
He has not been short of effort during his pre-season run-outs. However, he can still be a frustrating player to watch. Nuno’s aforementioned comments about making calls over those who have returned from loan spells apply to Dennis, too, as he was at Basaksehir and then Watford last term.
Hwang Ui-jo: The forward seems likely to join the ranks of players to leave without making a first-team appearance in the Garibaldi. Since signing two years ago, he has had a number of loan spells. If Forest can oversee a permanent departure this time, they will surely take it.
