Nottingham Forest will have a number of tasks on their to-do list as they look ahead to the summer transfer window.
The Reds will be keen to strengthen Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad as they aim to push on again next term. But there will also be several departures from the City Ground as part of any dressing room reshuffle.
It is unlikely the number of exits will be on the same scale as last year, when Forest significantly trimmed numbers. Below, NottinghamshireLive looks at how the players who left Trentside in the summer of 2024 are getting on. We have not included the players who headed out on loan.
Wayne Hennessey: Released by the Reds at the end of his contract, the Welshman went on to pen a new short-term deal with the club in January after recovering from an Achilles’ injury. Nuno values his experience in the dressing room and he has been back-up to No.1 Matz Sels while Carlos Miguel has been sidelined, but he is yet to get out on the pitch.
Felipe: Twelve months ago, the defender indicated his plans to retire at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. The desire to spend time with his family was a key factor in his decision, although he didn’t rule out a return to football in some capacity in the future.
In a farewell message, he posted on Instagram: “Thank you Nottingham Forest!!! It was an honour and a great joy to be able to wear this shirt and represent you on the field. What I have to say is just thank you. From the beginning, since I arrived on my first day, it was a huge affection and such unparalleled respect.”
Cheikhou Kouyate: Remains a free agent, following the expiration of his Forest deal. Was said to be on the verge of signing for Leeds United last October, but reports have suggested the move fell through amid concerns over his financial demands.
Harry Arter:Will be near the top of the list of transfer flops for many Reds fans. More than three years after his last competitive game for the club, which came in January 2021, the midfielder finally left at the end of his contract.
Is now in Dubai, playing for Precision FC. Addressed his contract stand-off with Forest in an interview last year, saying: “The simple reality was, they didn’t want me as a player and I wasn’t prepared to walk away from my contract. So we got into a position that no one could get out of.”
Scott McKenna: Signed a three-year deal with Spanish side Las Palmas as a free agent last August and has made 22 league appearances for the club so far. One of the promotion heroes, he will always be highly thought of at the City Ground.
“Obviously, it’s quite a lot different to what I was used to,” the defender has said of his move. “But it was just something that really excited me. The opportunity to play abroad, especially in La Liga, was something I couldn't turn down.
“To be honest, I was open to anything. The opportunity came to go to Spain which as a league, behind the Premier League, is up there with the best of them. So I felt like I had to take the opportunity to go and experience this opportunity to play in some of the top stadiums in the world.”
Loic Mbe Soh: Released by the Reds, the defender went on to put pen to paper for Belgian outfit Beerschot. “Stepping into the unknown with courage and excitement,” he posted on social media. “Here’s to embracing new challenges and growing stronger with every step!”
Has become a regular starter for the club, with 22 league appearances in the first XI to date. Got in on the goalscoring action towards the end of last year by finding the net in a 3-2 win over Cercle Bruges.
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Nottingham Forest are flying high in the Premier League and Reds fans are dreaming of a return to European competition. It has been an outstanding campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men, who are on course for a place in the Champions League next season. And Forest supporters can whet their appetite for a possible return to football’s top tier on the continent with our 48-page special edition celebrating the club’s two European Cup wins.
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Gonzalo Montiel: Back in his homeland of Argentina after a January move. Initially returned to parent side Sevilla at the end of his Forest loan but was seeing limited game time and headed back to former club River Plate when the winter transfer window opened. Has established himself in the first XI there.
Nuno Tavares: Headed out on loan again after returning to parent club Arsenal at the end of his City Ground stint. Is now with Lazio and has started 19 games in Serie A.
There is a question mark over where his future lies beyond this season. Lazio are said to be keen to keep the full-back but reports have suggested they will have rivals for his signature.
Gio Reyna:The American’s fortunes appear to have improved slightly in recent months. Returned to Borussia Dortmund after his Forest loan and has notched up a fair few minutes of late.
However, there has been speculation about his future as the 22-year-old will have just one year remaining on his contract come the summer. Inter Milan have been credited with an interest, while he is said to have other admirers in Italy as well as in Spain and France.
Divock Origi: Yet to play a single competitive minute this term after returning to AC Milan from his City Ground loan. Finds himself in limbo as reports from Italy suggest he is not even training with the first-team.
Last July, Calciomercato reported the forward would not be part of the Italian side’s first-team set-up. They quoted Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is a senior adviser for club owners RedBird Capital Partners, as saying of Origi and Fode Ballo Toure: “The two of them have been called up, but for the Milan Futuro team. They are not part of the first team.”
Origi’s situation does not appear to have changed since. In a fresh report earlier this month, Calciomercato claimed the former Liverpool man had turned down offers to move elsewhere.
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Rodrigo Ribeiro: Faring better on loan at Portuguese outfit AVS than he did at Forest. Made just five appearances in the Garibaldi but has already racked up 16 in the league this time around and has one goal to his name. Remains on the books of Sporting Lisbon.
Julian Larsson: Joined Burton Albion after failing to make the breakthrough at Forest. Injury did not help his cause after the move and has featured just seven times to date.
Odysseas Vlachodimos: Moved to Newcastle United as Elliot Anderson headed the other way. Has featured only once for the Magpies, though - coming off the bench in a 1-0 Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon in October. Nevertheless, was pictured joining in the celebrations when Eddie Howe’s team won the tournament a couple of weeks ago.
Brandon Aguilera: Highly-regarded at Forest, some fans were sorry to see the Costa Rican depart for fellow Evangelos Marinakis-owned club Rio Ave last July. Has featured 21 times in the league for the Portuguese side and has bagged three goals so far.
Orel Mangala: The midfielder signed for Lyon on a permanent basis last summer but went on to sign for Everton on loan. Made 21 appearances for the Toffees before an ACL injury in January brought an end to his season.
Moussa Niakhate: Signed a permanent deal with Lyon in a £27 million deal. Has been a regular starter and has racked up plenty of appearances for the club so far.
Joe Worrall: It was the end of an era for the Nigel Doughty Academy graduate when he left the City Ground for Burnley. Getting his chance has not been easy at Turf Moor, particularly with the Clarets going well. Has featured 11 times this term but will have his eyes on adding another promotion to his CV, with the club pushing to get back to the Premier League.
Alex Mighten: A long association with Forest came to an end for the winger on deadline day last summer. He made the switch to MLS side San Diego but was then immediately loaned out to Danish outfit FC Nordsjaelland for the rest of the year. Is now back in the US and has made two substitute appearances so far.
Hwang Ui-jo: Signed a one-year deal with Turkish team Alanyaspor last September. Has seen a fair bit of game time since his switch.
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