It has been a relatively quiet start to the summer transfer window for Nottingham Forest, but that is sure to change in the weeks ahead.
After a brief pause, the window reopened on Monday and the Reds now have until September 1 to get deals done. As they prepare to compete in next season’s UEFA Conference League, they know there is plenty riding on overseeing the right ins and outs.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, like most of his counterparts, would no doubt love to get the bulk of any business sorted early. Transfer windows rarely run perfectly smoothly, however.
Trying to get deals done can involve plenty of twists and turns. With that in mind, NottinghamshireLive takes a look at some of the Forest transfer sagas likely to dominate the headlines this summer.
Anthony Elanga
Far from being the end of Newcastle United’s interest in the winger when the Reds rejected an offer on deadline day last summer, the Magpies have refused to go away. They might well try their luck again in the coming weeks.
Already, this particular story has generated plenty of reports and rumours. There has been talk of Newcastle representatives travelling to Nottingham, as well as “multiple meetings” between the player’s representatives and the St James’ Park side’s hierarchy.
Magpies fans, meanwhile, have taken note of Elanga regularly commenting on Instagram posts of Newcastle forward William Osula. The pair are said to be good friends.
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Morgan Gibbs-White
Not so long ago, it looked as though Manchester City’s targeting of the Forest ace would be a story to run and run. After all, it filled plenty of column inches in the closing weeks of last season.
It is now said to be unlikely Pep Guardiola will swoop for the England international as City have already been busy in the transfer market. But their cooling of interest in Gibbs-White doesn’t represent the end of the matter.
The Reds playmaker has other admirers, including Tottenham Hotspur. Given there is still a long way to go in this transfer window, Forest’s resolve to hang on to their star man may yet be tested.
Yoane Wissa
The Reds made a play for the front man in January. An offer, said to be in the region of £18-22 million, was put forward but was rejected by Brentford.
Forest still have their eye on the Bees striker, however. Igor Jesus is set to make the switch to the City Ground from Botafogo but it would come as no surprise to see further attacking resources targeted.
If the Reds do decide to test the waters again, it might be that they come up against some competition. With Thomas Frank having left Brentford for Spurs, the Dane has been tipped to launch a raid on his former club and target their prized asset.
Cuiabano
Forest’s pursuit of the Botafogo full-back has already had its fair share of ups and downs, even in a relatively short space of time. Initially, the talk was of a triple deal involving Cuiabano, Jesus and Jair Cunha heading to the City Ground from the Brazilian outfit.
However, for now, the Reds might have to settle for just Jesus and Cunha. Botafogo owner John Textor has been quoted as saying negotiations centre around those two at present.
“There are a lot of rumours about Cuiabano,” he told Brazilian media. “They (Forest) like him, they want him, but it's just those two players (Jair and Jesus) for now.”
To add to the mix, Brighton and Hove Albion are said to be keen on Cuiabano. Amid suggestions he might remain at Botafogo, this story appears to have some way still to run.
Douglas Luiz
Forest have been linked with the Juventus midfielder for some time. As he seeks an end to his time in Italy, speculation about his future has come thick and fast in recent months.
The list of clubs said to be eyeing up the former Aston Villa man has continued to grow. Talk of the Reds’ interest has remained constant, though.
Juve are said to be keen to cash in on the 27-year-old and a £33m price tag has been mooted. However, recent reports have suggested patience may be required when it comes to trying to snap up Luiz as he is weighing up his options.
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