After a breakthrough campaign in which they booked a long-awaited return to Europe, Nottingham Forest had little time to reflect on their Champions League near-miss.
Having signed a whole squad's worth of players - and several more - since regaining their Premier League status in 2022, recruitment will be key as Forest try to compete on several fronts next season.
The Garibaldis have managed to keep Morgan Gibbs-White out of the clutches of Tottenham Hotspur, and Nuno Espirito Santo will be keen to make the most of him re-signing by strengthening, particularly ahead of the club's journey into UEFA competition.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at Nottingham Forest's 2025 summer transfer window, including their top targets, priority positions, budget and most likely signings.
Nottingham Forest's top targets for 2025 summer transfer window
Juventus' Douglas Luiz pictured in January 2025
Qualifying for European football is sure to give Forest a boost in terms of attracting players to the club, and it is certain to have been a factor in getting talisman Gibbs-White to commit to the club - at least for one more season.
After Anthony Elanga left to join Newcastle United for £52m, the Garibaldis brought in winger Dan Ndoye from Bologna as a replacement in a club-record deal worth almost £40m as a replacement.
However, they are yet to sign a defensive midfielder to fill the gap left by Danilo, who was sold to Brazilian side Botafogo, though former Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League.
The now-Juventus man has reportedly agreed personal terms already, but a deal is yet to be struck between the clubs, with Forest offering to take Luiz on loan with a buy option of approximately £30m and Juve asking for a £35m fee.
Meanwhile, Manchester City's 22-year-old midfielder James McAtee has been tipped for a move to the City Ground having already proven his potential under Pep Guardiola.
Nottingham Forest budget for 2025 summer transfer window
One of the reasons Forest 'ex-owner' Evangelos Marinakis was so enraged by the prospect of Nuno's men missing out on the Premier League's top five was, quite naturally, financial.
With a smaller purse and slimmer league phase, qualification for the Europa League may not swell their coffers that much.
They also have a substantial wage budget - now set to increase due to bonuses - and any missteps could see them fall foul of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
So, failure to stay inside the top five might mean more creative player trading, such as Elliot Anderson and Odysseas Vlachodimos swapping places last summer, though UEFA have since clamped down on similar accounting manoeuvres.
Once again, the Reds must sell well and buy sagely - but they have proven adept at doing both in recent seasons.
Nottingham Forest's most likely signings for 2025 summer transfer window
Manchester City's James McAtee on December 4, 2024
Several clubs will be in contention for the likes of McAtee, so there are a number of alternative options on a long scouting list.
Forest have already recruited Botafogo's Club World Cup talisman Igor Jesus and his teammate Jair Cunha, who both participated in the USA for the Brazilian side.
They were also keen on left-back Cuiabano, although a transfer for the 22-year-old, who has also been linked to Brighton & Hove Albion, did not materialise.
The Tricky Trees have completed the signing of the Gambia Under-20s striker Lamin Sillah from sister club Olympiakos, but he will initially join their academy squad.
Forest are also said to be on the lookout for another young forward to bolster the ranks, but after Johan Bakayoko joined RB Leipzig and a deal for reported Liverpool target Malick Fofana of Lyon seems to have evaporated, it is unclear where they may turn to next.
In the centre of the park, Florian Plettenberg has claimed that the club are prioritising a move for RB Salzburg's 24-year-old Danish midfielder Mads Bidstrup.
Nottingham Forest's priority positions for 2025 summer transfer window
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo pictured on July 19, 2025
It has been noted that Nuno prefers to work with a tight-knit squad, avoiding issues such as discontentment from players consistently left out.
However, European qualification surely means greater strength in depth is needed, so a couple of wide players, a central midfielder, and even another striker could be brought in.
A new left-back could also be on the cards given that Harry Toffolo was released after his contract expired in June, Alex Moreno returned to Aston Villa following his loan spell at the City Ground, and it remains to be seen whether ex-Bayern Munich man Omar Richards will play any part after returning from a loan spell with Rio Ave.
Left-winger Ramon Sosa has joined Palmeiras, so Forest could do with recruiting some fresh blood to play on either flank despite Ndoye's arrival.
The Tricky Trees might add to their current midfield options, which include, Ibrahim Sangare, Elliot Anderson, Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates.
Finally, Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi have proven willing and able up front, but the chance to sign a new hitman would surely be taken if the price is right.
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