Today marks the start of what is set to be a busy summer transfer window for Nottingham Forest.
This year, Premier League clubs have from today (June 1) until June 10 to get some early business done before the window closes for a brief time. It will then reopen on June 16 and remain so until September 1, with the pause in transactions due to the timing of the Club World Cup.
There is much riding on the Reds overseeing the right deals as they look to kick on next term after securing a place in the UEFA Conference League. Below, NottinghamshireLive takes a look at what to expect from the window.
Potential incomings
A stretched squad arguably proved costly for Forest as they faltered in the latter stages of the 2024/25 campaign. Players looked exhausted and the team ran out of steam in the race for Champions League qualification.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo prefers to work with a small group and places much emphasis on having a tight-knit dressing room. But with European football will come additional games, meaning greater strength in depth is required for Forest to kick on.
Adding a striker will be top of the agenda. The Reds cannot afford to go a third window without bringing in more firepower.
Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap would be an ideal recruit but it appears he is set to head elsewhere. It would come as no surprise to see Forest try their luck for Brentford’s Yoane Wissa again, after a bid was rejected in January, while interest is said to have been reignited in Corinthians’ Yuri Alberto.
Full-back is an area in need of attention as Aston Villa loanee Alex Moreno and Harry Toffolo are likely to move on. A decision will need to be made over whether left-back Omar Richards can have a part to play when he returns from his Rio Ave loan spell.
With question marks over the futures of Ramon Sosa, in particular, and also Jota Silva, the Reds could do with strengthening out wide. And with speculation about goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, back-up for Matz Sels is also likely to be required.
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Possible outgoings
Forest got through a lot of work when it came to trimming dead wood 12 months ago. They still have a few players on the books who they will look to move on this time around.
In addition to Moreno and Toffolo, Wayne Hennessey and Jonathan Panzo are also coming to the end of their deals and look set to depart. The Reds hold an option to retain the services of Willy Boly for a further year but it remains to be seen whether they take that up.
Matt Turner, Lewis O’Brien, Josh Bowler and Emmanuel Dennis have been out on loan and seem unlikely to feature in Nuno’s plans. If moves can be found, it would suit all parties.
Andrew Omobamidele also falls into that category. Strasbourg have an option to sign him permanently but the likes of Leeds United have also been credited with an interest in the defender.
The big question mark, though, surrounds the future of Morgan Gibbs-White. The England international is wanted by Manchester City and Forest’s resolve to hang on to their star man is expected to be tested.
The Reds hold all the cards on that front. They have no desire to sell and are under no financial pressure to do so, but the lure of working with Pep Guardiola and linking up with good friend Phil Foden could prove tempting for Gibbs-White.
Contract calls
A year ago, Nuno stressed the importance of retaining what he referred to as the “core” of his squad. He wanted Forest to build on what they had, rather than undergo major surgery.
It proved a wise strategy and the Portuguese will hope for the same again this time around.
There is doubt about the future of Gibbs-White and other prized assets also have their admirers. However, Nuno said not so long ago he didn’t think it was necessary to have Champions League football on offer in order to hang on to (or to recruit) players. It might have helped, of course, but it is clear to see the Reds are a club on the up.
Getting Murillo and Chris Wood tied to new deals earlier this year was a big plus. Overseeing fresh terms for Callum Hudson-Odoi, Neco Williams and Ola Aina needs to be the next priority.
Reports have suggested a 12-month extension on Aina’s contract was activated when Forest officially avoided relegation, but the club are keen to agree a longer-term deal. Williams and Hudson-Odoi are both due to be out of contract in 2026 so getting their futures sorted will be key, rather than risk losing them on a free next summer.
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