Transfer business is a big deal at Nottingham Forest with just one week remaining of the summer window.
Nuno Espirito Santo hit out at the lack of it prior to the opening game of the season. And although a flurry of activity followed, the Reds head coach admitted to a breakdown in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis last Friday.
Recently-appointed global head of football Edu is said to be the main cause of Nuno’s grievances, amid differing opinions over recruitment. But following days of speculation about his job, the Portuguese suggested after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace that a way forward could be found.
The priority, Nuno said, has to be to put the finishing touches to the Forest squad before next Monday’s 7pm deadline. The club still have work to do on that front.
“Not only us three, all the club has to come together,” Nuno said in reference to planned talks with Marinakis and Edu. “First of all, let’s try to complete our squad - this is really important in the final days of the transfer window.”
To complete the squad, what Nuno wants is another goalkeeper and two full-backs. Angus Gunn has already come in as back-up between the posts, but he wants further cover and competition for Matz Sels.
According to The Guardian, the Reds are in talks with Fenerbahce to sign Croatian keeper Dominik Livakovic. The Turkish outfit will reportedly let the player leave ‘for the right amount’.
The need to strengthen at full-back has been clear throughout the window. It is an area where Forest are particularly short, despite having brought in eight new faces already.
“We need three players - one more goalie and two full-backs,” Nuno said after the full-time whistle at Selhurst Park. “We cannot live with the fear of if something happens to Ola (Aina) and Neco (Williams).”
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He added: “If one of our wingers can play at full-back, I will be the first to say that we need only one full-back. But Omari (Hutchinson), Kali (Arnaud Kalimuendo), Macca (James McAtee), I look at them and they are not full-backs.
“The team needs full-backs. We have Omar Richards and Eric Moreira, who need to move and proceed their careers and be happy, because I cannot give what they need in their careers, which is minutes.”
In terms of full-backs, Forest have had their eye on Sevilla’s Jose Angel Carmona. However, reports have suggested he is reluctant to make the move.
Another right-back option could be Aston Villa’s Matty Cash. The Nigel Doughty Academy graduate has been linked with a return to the City Ground, although Villa are said to be unwilling to sell.
Nuno namechecked Richards and Moreira as potential departures, but they are unlikely to be the only ones before the window closes. The Reds have other fringe players in line for moving on.
Jota Silva is wanted by Sporting Lisbon, David Carmo has been linked with Sevilla - albeit as part of a swap deal involving Carmona - and Taiwo Awoniyi is said to be a target for Werder Bremen. Forest will also try to engineer exits for Josh Bowler and Emmanuel Dennis as neither have been part of Nuno’s plans.
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