The high-class players Nottingham Forest can sign for free this summer – including Spurs starThe high-class players Nottingham Forest can sign for free this summer – including Spurs star
The high-class players Nottingham Forest can sign for free this summer – including Spurs star | AFP via Getty Images
Four players available on a free transfer this summer that could suit Nottingham Forest’s needs.
It’s no secret that Nottingham Forest are hoping to be busy this summer. Whether or not they succeed in qualifying for the Champions League, they need to build on the platform built by Nuno Espirito Santo this season and as their attempts to sign a forward in the January transfer window demonstrated, the club are keenly aware of their lack of depth up front.
The issue is that Forest may still be walking something of a tightrope when it comes to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. The club were deducted points in the 2023/24 season for breaking the rules and needed to engage in some shenanigans with Newcastle last summer with the ‘swap’ deal that saw Odysseas Vlachodimos and Elliot Anderson change hands – a deal which certainly worked out well for Forest.
Champions League money would allow the club to loosen their belt a little, but they may still be somewhat budget-conscious this coming summer, especially if they want to sign a substantial number of players – fortunately, there are more high-class free agents available than usual this year, and there might be a few players who could fill positions of need without a transfer fee. We’ve picked out for players that might be good fits for Santo’s tactical scheme, and who wouldn’t cost a penny up front.
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa – Napoli
Forest’s midfield has been a pleasant surprise this season, a position group that looked relatively weak on paper but which has performed well above expectations. Still, it wouldn’t be a shock if Forest looked to add some class and experience in that area this summer, and former Fulham holding midfielder Anguissa could fit the bill.
The 29-year-old has been a regular starter for Napoli since signing four years ago and was an unsung hero of their Scudetto-winning campaign in 2023, while his five goals and three assists have helped propel Antonio Conte’s team towards another title challenge this year.
A box-to-box player who does plenty of strong work off the ball and who offers a surprising amount of penetration going forward with his movement, he should suit Santo’s direct style of play and would offer the attack some strong support. Napoli reportedly want to extend his contract past June, but talks haven’t resulted in an agreement just yet – if they stall, Anguissa could be a fine addition.
Javi Puado – Espanyol
The Barcelona-born forward can play on either the wing or through the middle, versatility which could make him an excellent rotational option – Forest were keen on signing Yoane Wissa over the winter for similar reasons.
Puado is a highly efficient finisher whose ability to find space can be lacking but whose eye for goal certainly isn’t, and he’s already bagged eight goals in La Liga this year from an xG of 6.5. He also has one cap for Spain, scoring on his first (and so far last) appearance for La Furia Roja in a friendly against Lithuania.
Like Anguissa, Puado is expected to be offered a new deal by Espanyol, who see him as a key player and a dressing-room leader, but he could perhaps have his head turned by a generous offer from the Premier League. Puado probably wouldn’t be a nailed-on starter for Forest, but he could fill in for Chris Wood, Anthony Elanga or Morgan Gibbs-White if any of them miss time or simply need a rest.
Marvin Ducksch – Werder Bremen
Speaking of reinforcements up front, if Forest want to give Wood some competition for the number nine role they could do a lot worse than sign 30-year-old striker Ducksch, who has two caps for Germany and a solid scoring record in the Bundesliga.
Ducksch has hit the back of the net 30 times in the past three seasons for his current club, but he’s more than just a goalscorer – his hold-up and link-up play are first-class, and he also has 22 assists across the same timeframe, while his hard work off the ball would complement Santo’s aggressive pressing system.
Wood is the better goalscorer, but at 33 may slow down before too long, while Ducksch has a few more years in the tank – and he’s a stronger creative presence who could bring Forest’s other attacking players into the game more regularly while maintaining the same imposing physical presence up front. There is some confusion over the German’s contract status, however, as it’s unclear whether he may have a clause in his contract that could see his stay in Bremen extended by another year.
Sergio Reguilón – Tottenham Hotspur
The one position that Forest haven’t really nailed down this season is left-back, and finding a permanent solution on that side of defence is likely to be among incoming sporting director Edu’s focusses – and forgotten Spurs man Reguilón could be a budget-friendly answer.
Largely left out of the Spurs team by Ange Postecoglou this season because he’s a poor fit for the Australian’s tactical scheme, the £32m Spaniard could flourish in Santo’s set-up, which might make better use of a full-back who looks to get wide and create overlaps. He also did some fine work for Brentford at the back end of last season, putting up four assists, and his tackling remains first rate.
At just 28, Reguilón likely has plenty of miles left on the clock and although there are whispers that he can be a difficult presence in the dressing room when he isn’t selected, that might be less of an issue at a club where would be expected to start regularly, and he has plenty of quality to offer the right team. Unlike the other players mentioned, there is next to no chance that he is offered a new deal, and he will almost certainly hit the free market at the end of June.
Related topics:Nottingham ForestNuno Espirito Santo
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