An important January transfer window is just around the corner for Nottingham Forest as 2024 nears its end.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo already has a strong squad in place so the Reds shouldn’t need to do too much work next month. However, a few key deals could make a big difference as the club look to keep challenging towards the top end of the table.
The transfer rumour mill is already in full swing ahead of the new year. Below, we round up the latest Forest news and gossip.
Santi speculation
Nottingham Forest have been given the green light to make a fresh transfer bid for Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez in January.
The Reds failed in a bid to land the Mexico international striker during the summer. Gimenez is said to have turned down the chance to move to the City Ground over fears of joining a relegation battle in the Premier League.
But the Reds have defied all expectation so far this season and currently sit in fourth place in the table, ahead of champions Manchester City and behind Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. It means Gimenez might now be open to joining Forest - and a battle towards the top end of the Premier League - when the January transfer window opens.
Loan ending
Esapa Osong has returned to Nottingham Forest after his loan spell with League One Rotherham United was cut short by injury, Millers boss Steve Evans has confirmed. Osong was loaned to Rotherham in the summer transfer window with the hope that he'd get some first-team minutes under his belt.
The 20-year-old only managed six league appearances - and of those only one start - although he featured in the EFL Trophy campaign too, and scored in the 3-1 win over Newcastle United under 21s.
“Esapa's gone back, it happened last week,” Evans told the Rotherham Advertiser. “The prognosis was a six-week injury with less than four weeks to the January transfer window. Forest are in the Premier League and have medical staff in abundance so it made sense that they look after him.”
Winger link
Forest have been credited with an interest in young Millwall winger Romain Esse. Crystal Palace, who have a track record of bringing in players from the Championship and helping them to develop into Premier League talents, have also held a longstanding interest in Esse, who despite being 19 has already racked up 61 senior appearances for the Lions.
Esse has been prominent this year especially, netting four goals including an important winner in a 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle. It's form that has attracted admiring glances from above and, according to the Telegraph, one of those clubs keeping an eye on Esse are Forest.
Forest have produced an especially efficient knack of identifying and recruiting players in recent transfer windows which, under Nuno Espirito Santo, has given them the ability to make significant strides on the pitch and sees them in the European shake up as we reach Christmas.
Where must Forest add in January? Tell us HERE
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