Nottingham Forest have become known to conduct frantic business in the transfer window over recent years, with owner Evangelos Marinakis a man who isn’t scared to splash the cash.
The Reds spent over £200m in the summer window alone, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the club from ending up in another Premier League relegation battle.
Sean Dyche’s men sit just six points clear of the drop zone with 14 games remaining, which could lead to added reinforcements being added before tonight’s 7pm deadline.
Nottingham Forest ins and outs winter 2026 (deadline day)
Lorenzo Lucca and Stefan Ortega are the only additions to arrive at the City Ground at present, but that could all be about to change within the coming hours.
Numerous players remain on the recruitment team’s radar at present, which could see a flurry of late activity take place - something which fans certainly aren’t alien to.
Transfer target now wants to join Nottingham Forest
Over the last couple of days, a new central midfielder has been a priority for Forest, with numerous players touted with a late move to join Dyche’s side.
Inter Milan star Davide Frattesi is just one player who has been on the club’s radar, even leading to a loan offer being accepted for the Italian international.
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However, a move to the City Ground hinged upon the Serie A star landing a replacement, with the 26-year-old now set to stay at the San Siro beyond today’s deadline.
Frattesi isn’t the only option who has been considered by the hierarchy in recent days, with Celtic star Arne Engels another star who could be a Forest player come 7pm.
According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, the Reds have had a £17m bid for the Belgian international rejected, who’s racked up 37 appearances across all competitions this season.
However, speaking on Sky Sports this morning, he did claim that negotiations are still ongoing for the 22-year-old, who is said to be keen on a move to the City Ground today.
Why Engels would be perfect for Gibbs-White at Forest
Despite rumours linking him with a move away during the summer window, attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White has been one of Forest’s most-influential players throughout 2025/26.
Botman-Gibbs-White-Forest-Newcastle
The 26-year-old recently celebrated his 150th appearance for the club, with his reported £44m move from Wolves in the summer of 2022 now looking like excellent business.
He’s currently sitting on six Premier League goals this term - the most of any player in the squad - subsequently highlighting his importance to the club’s hunt for survival.
Gibbs-White has managed to post a goal contribution in four of his last five league outings, further reaffirming his talent with the ball in the final third.
However, there’s undoubtedly huge pressure on him to continue to provide the goods and ensure the club are a top-flight club once again come the end of May.
Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White reacts after the match
A move for Engels could certainly relieve some of the pressure on the Englishman’s shoulders, with the Celtic star a player who has also demonstrated his quality in attacking areas.
In the 2025/26 campaign to date, the Belgian international has registered 12 combined goals and assists, with four of which coming in the Europa League.
However, away from his ability in attacking areas, his underlying stats showcase that he’s also capable of creating chances for those around him, which could allow Gibbs-White to improve his own tallies.
Engels, who’s been dubbed “outstanding” by former boss Enrico Maassen, has completed 85% of the passes he’s attempted this season, with 4.5 of which per 90 being made into the final third.
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Such numbers showcase his incredible ability in possession, which could allow him to find Gibbs-White in dangerous areas and provide him with added chances in front of goal.
His chance creation is up there with some of the best in the division, with Engels managing to create 2.1 chances per 90 - ranking him in the top 5% of all players in Scotland.
Arne Engels - Celtic stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Pass accuracy
Chances created
Big chances created
Crosses completed
Long balls completed
Touches in 18-yard box
Stats via FotMob
0.3 of his chances per 90 are defined as big chances, which could allow him to provide others in attacking areas with golden opportunities - subsequently relieving some of the pressure on the captain.
Other tallies, such as 2.9 touches in the opposition box per 90 and 1.3 shots taken per 90, highlight his own ability to find the net, with the Belgian often in the right place at the right time.
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After the previous bids for his signature being rejected, it’s unclear how much the Scottish side would demand to sanction a sale for the midfielder before tonight’s deadline.
However, his desire to play in the Premier League could hand Forest a huge advantage in their pursuit, with such a move likely to go down to the wire this evening.
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