Nottingham Forest are ready to tackle the 2025/26 season, having qualified for the Europa League after an exemplary effort under Nuno Espirito Santo's wing last year.
But there's a sense that Forest's term was more than just a flash in the pan; rather, it is the foundation of a period of sustained success that will keep the club not just away from relegation battles each year but in contention to challenge out on the continent and compete for domestic silverware.
nuno santo
The Tricky Trees will have to engage in a new balancing act as they look to challenge for another European title, which makes the hopes of matching or even bettering last year's remarkable seventh-place finish all the more difficult, but it's hardly outside the realm of possibility.
Because who can say that Evangelos Marinakis has been resting on his laurels? Tottenham Hotspur's illegal approach for Morgan Gibbs-White has been fended off, and the recruitment team are now gearing up to put the final flourishes on a terrific transfer window.
Nott'm Forest's late window plans
The Athletic's David Ornstein has confirmed that a £30m package has been agreed for Manchester City midfielder James McAtee, with the England U21 international efficient both in deeper and more advanced midfield roles.
England's James McAtee reacts
The 22-year-old is considered a technically gifted player with an eye for goal, an ability to split defences with his passing and impressive off-the-ball movements, the last of which will see him thrive in Nuno's counter-attacking system.
Such midfield qualities would certainly help the likes of Omari Hutchinson, who is set to move to the City Ground from Ipswich Town, and new striker Arnaud Kalimuendo, with a £26m agreement in place with the 23-year-old's French employers, Rennes. The versatile forward scored 18 goals across 34 matches last year.
Kalimuendo-Rennes-transfer
Though McAtee and Hutchinson have already taken their first steps in the Premier League, Forest hope to add to their ranks a more established player within the England game, one who could lead and orchestrate from the middle.
Forest open talks for new midfielder
According to Sky Sports News, Nottingham Forest have opened talks with Juventus as they look to sign Douglas Luiz before the end of the month.
The former Aston Villa midfielder has struggled to perform in Italy, though injuries have not helped, and the Old Lady are understood to be open to cashing in if their £34m valuation is met. How such a package would be structured is unknown.
It's been confirmed that two Premier League outfits have submitted formal offers for the 27-year-old, though whether this is Forest or one (or more) of their rivals is uncertain at this stage.
Why Forest want Douglas Luiz
Luiz might have flattered to deceive across his year in Italy, but none can argue he hasn't proven himself and then some in the Premier League before.
Juventus' Douglas Luiz reacts
Indeed, Luiz has been described by ESPN Brazil’s Leonardo Bertozzi in the past as being a "world-class" player, so landing him certainly signals a statement of intent.
Last year, the Brazil international left plenty to be desired in Turin, but his efforts with Unai Emery's Aston Villa the year before even led The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell to hail him as "one of the Premier League's standout midfielders."
Luiz - Past Two League Seasons
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Touches*
Pass completion
Big chances created
Key passes*
Dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles*
Duels (won)*
Data via Sofascore
An all-action midfielder who covers plenty of ground, Luiz would be the perfect centrepiece to complete this Forest project, charging the engine room with energy and steel and style, all wrapped together with the completeness that the manager demands.
In this way, he could be the perfect proven partner for a talented up-and-comer such as McAtee.
Hailed by Pep Guardiola for his "special talent", the English midfielder's likeness to Luiz would aid both his personal development and his synergy with the South American in the centre. After all, data-driven site FBref record McAtee to rank among the top 1% of attacking midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored and the top 6% for tackles won per 90.
Luiz, however, typically sits deeper, with 103 of his 204 outings in an Aston Villa shirt coming from the deep-lying midfield spot. His progressive passing and combative defending make for compelling viewing, and it's the efficiency of his blend of qualities that has seen Espirito Santo work with Marinakis' web of recruitment officers to push ahead with a deal.
Though Gibbs-White's continuing presence in the City Ground senior squad has eased the need for midfield reinforcements, that aforementioned emphasis on competing across multiple fronts this term while avoiding a regression that would pull the team toward the lower levels of the Premier League suggests that this double deal is necessary to ensure the team go from strength to strength.
Luiz was an essential part of Villa Park's rise into Europe, and though he was forced to leave the club before tasting the fruits of his labours due to PSR concerns, he could now return to English shores and guide Forest as they make their way into the Europa League.
Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz
McAtee has the opportunity to contribute too, and with a mentor and partner like Luiz beside him, this club might just find that the best days are still ahead.