The countdown is on to an important summer transfer window for Nottingham Forest.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side still have a couple of big games to play and haven’t given up hope that the season could end with them being in the Champions League. But behind the scenes, thoughts are already turning to tweaking the head coach’s squad for next season.
Plenty of rumours are already doing the rounds regarding potential ins and outs at the City Ground. Below, NottinghamshireLive rounds up some of the latest transfer talk.
Defender plan
Tyler Bindon will get the chance to catch the eye of head coach Nuno when he links up with the Reds for the first time this summer. But whether he will be part of the Forest squad for the 2025/26 campaign remains to be seen.
According to The Telegraph, a Championship loan is seen as the most “likely” outcome for the young defender when a decision is made on his immediate future. He has impressed at League One level, so taking the next step up could be viewed as best for his development.
Bindon signed for the Reds on deadline day in February but was loaned back to Reading for the second half of the season. The 20-year-old is very highly regarded and has been described as a “special” talent by Royals boss Noel Hunt.
Asked about what happens next, Bindon recently said: “We’ll have to wait and see. Playing in the Premier League is what everyone dreams of. There’s no guarantee I’ll be in the (Forest) squad so I just have to appreciate every opportunity.”
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Luiz latest
The future of reported Reds target Douglas Luiz is said to still be “up in the air”, although it appears an exit from Juventus is likely. Italian publication Tuttosport suggest the midfielder could soon be “sacrificed to finance a new signing”.
After being linked with Luiz in January, Forest have again been credited with an interest ahead of the summer. Tuttosport claim the player has plenty of admirers in the Premier League, with a switch to the City Ground viewed as a potential option.
The report also states the 27-year-old has got on the wrong side of the Juve “management” lately with some of his social media musings on former club Aston Villa. In a live broadcast on Twitch, Luiz reportedly said: “I miss Aston Villa, guys. I miss playing at Villa Park, I miss everything, it’s always in my heart.”
The Brazilian apparently went on to post an Instagram story clarifying his comments. It is claimed he said: "When I spoke of Aston Villa, I was only referring to the affection for a place where I grew up as a man and a footballer, not to the desire to return. We must not confuse nostalgia with the desire to return: I love Juventus and I am totally focused on our goals.”
Nevertheless, Tuttosport report his words “caused quite a stir” among fans. They say: “There were no disciplinary consequences, but it's clear to everyone that the love story between the player and the club never blossomed.”
Scouting mission
The Reds are among a number of clubs said to have watched Danish teenager Clement Bischoff in action for Brondby. The 19-year-old has been in fine form in his homeland and has piqued the interest of a number of admirers.
According to TBR Football, Forest, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have scouted Bischoff since the Danish season resumed in March. Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Monaco and Borussia Dortmund are also keeping tabs on him.
The Denmark Under-19 international saw a move to Brighton and Hove Albion fall through earlier this year. TBR Football claim a £6 million deal had been agreed with the Seagulls but the switch was called off when Bischoff failed to reach an agreement with the Premier League outfit.
Brighton reportedly still remain keen on the teenager but the competition for his signature has grown in the intervening months. Bischoff is a versatile player who can operate either as a left-back or a left-sided winger.
Get your special Nottingham Forest in Europe souvenir edition
We have produced a special 48-page edition of the Nottingham Post celebrating the club’s two European Cup wins.
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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Youngster targeted
Northampton Town are keen to re-sign young Reds midfielder Ben Perry this summer. The 20-year-old spent the second half of the season with the League Two outfit and suitably impressed boss Kevin Nolan.
Perry made 17 appearances for the Cobblers, with all but three as part of the starting XI, in what was the first professional loan of his career. Nolan is hopeful of the youngster returning to the club for a second stint.
“Nottingham Forest were really happy with how Ben came on and that's something we're talking to them about,” he told the Northampton Echo. "I spoke to all the loanees who went back at the end of the season and they were all very complimentary of the club and they really enjoyed themselves. They were positive conversations and I feel we have a good opportunity to get them back.
"If not, we'll go and get the next one. We did that in January, we had a list and were ready to go, and it'll be the same again in the summer. We'll have a chat with the players and their clubs and see if there is a deal to be done.”
Do the club need to sell?
The Reds are in a healthy financial position ahead of the summer window. They are not under pressure to cash-in on their big names.
However, their resolve to keep the core of Nuno’s squad together is expected to be tested. Manchester City have their eye on Morgan Gibbs-White as they look for a replacement for the departing Kevin De Bruyne.
What do you think the team needs?
Now Forest know they are going to be in Europe next season, Nuno needs to have sufficient strength in depth to compete on several fronts. The ideal is to have the equivalent of two strong XIs to interchange between the various competitions the Reds will be playing in, but at the very least more quality on the bench is required.
What transfer business should Forest do this summer? Click HERE to have your say