Nottingham Forest have enough experience to know that transfer windows do not always go to plan.
But the Reds will be well aware how much of a difference the right deals could make as January looms large on the horizon. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been going well in the Premier League and the club will want to build on those foundations.
Forest shouldn’t need to do too much business next month. Below, NottinghamshireLive analyses what a dream transfer window would look like at the City Ground.
Star players stay put
For Nuno, the most valuable aspect of the summer window was that key players were retained. Even substantial late interest from Newcastle United in Anthony Elanga couldn’t tempt the Reds to sell.
Along with the winger, Murillo, Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi all remained in situ despite no shortage of speculation about their futures. Any potential suitors were rebuffed in what was a clear statement of intent.
It has paid dividends so far amid a fine start to the campaign. But such form is bound to result in the club’s prized assets catching a few eyes.
“This is the part we cannot control. When the moment comes, we have to be ready and operate as a club,” Nuno has said.
The idea scenario would be for the Reds to retain the core of their dressing room once again. They have a good thing going at the moment and they will not want anything to disrupt that.
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Premier League
Striker signs
Forest tried to bring a forward in before the summer window closed but didn’t manage to get a deal over the line. Nuno insisted afterwards he wasn’t disappointed at the club’s failure to strengthen in that department, but he could surely use another option being added to his ranks next month.
Omar Marmoush was one of the players on the Reds’ radar in the summer but he ended up staying with Eintracht Frankfurt. It would be a big ask to revisit that particular link, however, given he has been banging in the goals and is bound to have bolstered his price tag.
A few names have been doing the rounds ahead of January, however. Corinthians’ Yuri Alberto and Botafogo’s Igor Jesus are among them.
Chris Wood has been in sensational form this term but some additional help wouldn’t go amiss, with Taiwo Awoniyi the only other out-and-out striker in the squad. Forest do not want to be left short of cover.
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Exits overseen
Trimming numbers was a key priority for the club in the summer. Nuno prefers to work with a small group so a lot of players were moved on.
It means there is little deadwood left at the City Ground. Nevertheless, the Reds would still like to sanction a few departures before next month is out.
Emmanuel Dennis was left off the 25-man squad list for the first half of the season. A move could not be found for him in the summer, but Forest will try again in January.
Midfielder Lewis O’Brien’s time Trentside is likely to also come to an end. His Los Angeles FC loan officially expires on December 31 and he has been linked with a number of clubs.
Template followed
Overall, a dream window for the Reds would consist of following a similar approach to the summer. The club did sensible and considered business, with no last-minute panic-buying, and were left with a strong squad at the end of it.
Same again would be ideal. Forest have previous for uncovering hidden gems (Murillo and Danilo) and for getting bargain deals (Nikola Milenkovic and Callum Hudson-Odoi). They also know how to take advantage of the situations of other clubs (snapping up Elliot Anderson from Newcastle United).
The template for January has already been set. Take the same path and the Reds will not go far wrong.
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