Ensuring Nuno Espirito Santo has sufficient strength in depth to navigate a European campaign is a key priority for Nottingham Forest this summer.
Changes will be made to the Reds head coach’s squad, with ins and outs on the cards at the City Ground ahead of the 2025/26 season. But Forest’s overriding aim is to make sure by the time the window closes on September 1, they have the resources in place to build on last term’s good work.
Being in the UEFA Conference League comes with added fixtures, and Nuno is well aware how injuries and suspensions can take a toll on availability. The ideal scenario is to have the equivalent of two strong XIs capable of competing on multiple fronts.
The Reds are yet to make any additions this summer, although striker Igor Jesus and centre-back Jair Cunha should both be on their way Trentside after the Club World Cup. It has been a relatively quiet start to the window, but that will all change in the coming weeks.
So what would Forest’s dream team for next term look like? Where the defence is concerned, probably very similar to how they lined up last time around.
A back four of Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo and Neco Williams proved to be a formidable rearguard in front of Golden Glove winner Matz Sels. In addition to getting Aina and Williams - whose deals have 12 months left to run - tied to new contracts, the aim for the Reds is to finish the window with solid back-up in place.
A new deal has been agreed for Willy Boly, with the 34-year-old providing valuable experience and leadership, while Morato can also continue to be a good option. The anticipated arrival of Jair will further bolster Nuno’s resources at centre-back, although the Brazilian will likely require some time to adapt to the Premier League.
With discussions ongoing regarding Wayne Hennessey’s future role at the club - likely to be a coaching position - another goalkeeper could be on the shopping list, especially as Carlos Miguel did not exactly convince last term. Burnley’s James Trafford has previously been linked with the Reds, and at 22 would be a signing with a view to the future.
Full-back is also a department in need of looking at this summer. Aina and Williams being able to operate on either flank is hugely valuable, but with Harry Toffolo and Alex Moreno gone there is a gap in the squad.
It appears left-back Cuiabano won’t be following Botafogo teammates Jair and Jesus to the City Ground - at least for now. A triple deal with the Brazilian outfit had initially been in the pipeline but it seems Forest might have to settle for just two of their players for the time being.
Other left-backs have been linked with the Reds, with Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas being one. It could be Nuno decides to involve Omar Richards in his plans, too, as the ex-Bayern Munich defender looks to put his injury nightmare behind him.
In midfield, if a deal can be done for Juventus’ Douglas Luiz it could represent a great bit of business. The former Aston Villa man has shown what he can do in the Premier League before.
Forest had competition for places in the centre of the pitch last term, and that will need to be the case again. Nuno could have some tough decisions to make - both in terms of picking his starters and who makes the bench.
Ibrahim Sangare ended last season in fine form so could keep his spot in the XI when the action returns. Leaving out Elliot Anderson would be incredibly harsh, but with so many games in 2025/26 Nuno will be able to rotate.
It is likely Danilo will depart this summer, with Lyon and Besiktas keen. Ryan Yates can still have a big role to play, though, and likewise Nicolas Dominguez when he returns from injury.
Further up the pitch, the dream scenario is for the Reds to hang on to their star men. Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi all have admirers. Fending off interest in them could be just as important as any additions Forest make.
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Strengthening out wide is still a must, however. There has been speculation about Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa after the duo struggled for minutes last season. AC Milan’s Alexis Saelemaekers has been touted as an option to come in, with the Reds reported to have been in touch with his representatives.
Up front, Forest will be hoping Chris Wood can have a similar campaign to last time around. But there is no question the New Zealand international needs some help in providing the goals.
Jesus might need some time to settle in so targeting another forward makes a lot of sense. The ideal signing would be Brentford’s Yoane Wissa - a proven goal scorer in the Premier League.
Forest’s dream team for 2025/26: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Luiz; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wissa. Subs: Trafford, Tsimikas, Morato, Jair, Anderson, Dominguez, Saelemaekers, Wood, Jesus.
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