With the 2024/25 campaign consigned to the history books, it’s time for Nottingham Forest to start going through the recruitment list and trying to bolster the squad.
Although Nuno Espirito Santo has enjoyed a solid campaign as the team’s head coach, the season did fizzle out a little bit with Forest ending up qualifying for the UEFA Conference League and not the Champions League.
Still, had someone offered Forest a place in Europe at the start of the season, it’s hard to imagine too many supporters turning it down, with progress clearly evident from the 2023/24 campaign.
The Reds have already been linked with a host of players. Forest like the look of Matheus Nunes from Manchester City, and he would be a very shrewd signing as a player who can operate in a number of positions.
Other players will be on the list, though, and it remains to be seen what level of player Forest can attract on the back of European qualification secured at the end of the season.
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Nottingham Forest want Lazio defender Mario Gila
According to Inter News 1908, Forest are keen to rival Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Bournemouth for the services of Gila, with the player typically operating as a centre-back for Lazio.
The team based in the Italian capital have failed to qualify for Europe next season and that could now lead to Gila seeking a move away from the club with a number of possible suitors.
Forest are likely to wave goodbye to Willy Boly this summer at the end of his contract, leaving Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic and Morato as the three central defenders in the squad.
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David Carmo will join the club from his loan with Olympiacos, but given the relationship with the Greek champions, it would be no surprise if he were to be sold without making an appearance for Forest.
Gila has been a mainstay in the Lazio team this season, playing regularly in Serie A and the Europa League, with Forest now looking for players with European experience ready for next season.
Gila could provide serious squad depth
Although the Reds have Morato backing up Murillo and Milenkovic, his form tailed off towards the end of the season, and perhaps a stronger first reserve will be sought.
Forest might not prioritise a new central defender in the short term, but by the end of the summer, surely, Espirito Santo would welcome the chance to strengthen his team at the back.
According to Squawka, Gila wins more tackles and more headers than Murillo and perhaps that makes him a different type of defender to the swashbuckling Brazilian performer.
Gila’s experience could make him a very useful addition to the Forest ranks and it will be interesting to see just how much Lazio demand for one of their top defensive performers.