Following a 5-0 defeat against Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest may have to reconsider their approach to the transfer market during the January window.
The Reds were without Callum Hudson-Odoi owing to an injury. His absence was felt deeply, and with Forest associated with attackers, perhaps things will pick up a bit.
Evangelos Marinakis has made no secret about his desire to sign a new forward. Several names have been associated with Forest, and it remains to be seen whether things will come to life or not.
Matheus Cunha is one of the names associated with a relocation to Forest. However, that could be a difficult transaction to complete, and the Reds may have to look into more economical options this month.
Others may be forced to leave in order to sign some top stars before the window shuts. Emmanuel Dennis is being connected with Sheffield Wednesday, while others could be on their way out.
Lewis O’Brien is wanted by several EFL clubs.
The rush is on to get O’Brien away from Forest before the transfer window closes. According to Alan Nixon’s Patreon page, Preston is the latest club to emerge as a potential bidder for the midfielder.
Burnley, Blackburn, and Hull City are all interested in O’Brien. The player is presently back at Forest following a loan spell with Los Angeles FC in the MLS, as the American club cannot afford a permanent deal.
O’Brien joined Forest in the summer of 2022 for £10 million from Huddersfield. He played 14 games for the Reds but was not picked to the 25-man roster for the second half of the 2022/23 season.
He spent time on loan with DC United and even had a loan transfer to Blackburn fall through, denying him the opportunity to continue his career in the Championship.
Last season, O’Brien was on loan at Middlesbrough, where he pleased Michael Carrick. However, they elected not to contract him, and he ended up moving to Los Angeles in the summer.
Forest ought to let O’Brien go and seek a permanent deal.
Keeping the midfielder at Forest benefits no one. The player is good enough to play frequently in the Championship, so getting him out makes perfect sense.
O’Brien is far down the pecking order at Forest. Nuno Espirito Santo gave him a brief look in preseason, but he would never be able to return to the Premier League squad.
The 26-year-old can consider himself a touch unlucky at Forest. He’s never had a true opportunity to shine, and it’s a shame that the move couldn’t have gone better for him.
Another loan seems expected this month. However, in an ideal world, Forest would be able to remove O’Brien out of the club permanently and off the payroll once and for all.
