Ins and outs are on the cards as Nottingham Forest face an important summer transfer window
13:15, 28 May 2026
Anthony Elanga joined Newcastle United from Nottingham Forest last summer
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Anthony Elanga joined Newcastle United from Nottingham Forest last summer(Image: Getty)
Nottingham Forest want to hang on to goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, it has been claimed.
The 33-year-old made 10 appearances for the Reds in the second half of the season after joining from Manchester City midway through the campaign. The short-term deal he signed will expire this summer, but extending his stay at the City Ground could be a possibility.
According to German publication Kicker, Forest would like to retain Ortega as head coach Vitor Pereira looks to keep the core of his squad together. However, the likelihood of not being first-choice Trentside could be a sticking point for the shot-stopper.
Wolfsburg stand ready to offer Ortega a return to his homeland and have him on their “wish list”. But there is a potential stumbling block there, too, as relegation from the Bundesliga is said to be a “major problem” for the club’s hopes of completing a deal.
After he signed for Forest, Ortega admitted he had been keen to go back to Germany. His suitors dropping down a division makes a move there “significantly less likely”.
The report from Kicker suggests Ortega has other offers, including to remain in the Premier League. Had Wolfsburg survived the drop, they “would likely” have snapped up the free agent.
Forest signed Ortega when Brazilian John Victor’s season was ended by injury. The ex-City man went on to become Pereira’s starter in the Europa League and back-up to Matz Sels in the Premier League.
With no European football on offer at the City Ground next term, and with Sels still the No.1, Ortega would likely have to settle for playing in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup if he stayed with the Reds. It remains to be seen whether he would prefer to secure more regular game time elsewhere.
Either way, Forest will be left assessing their options between the posts this summer. Like Ortega, Angus Gunn is out of contract and seems likely to move on while there has been speculation about John.
Fight for Frattesi
Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi is a name that has done the rounds for some time regarding Forest. The Reds were first credited with an interest in him 12 months ago and then had a reported €35 million (£30m) offer rebuffed during the winter window.
Speculation since then has suggested they have kept an eye on him with the intention of trying their luck again this summer. But it seems there will be competition for his signature when clubs can begin doing business again.
Frattesi is expected to be on the move now the season has finished. Italian media outlet FC Inter News report Atalanta, Juventus and Roma are primed to begin talks over a possible deal “in the coming days”.
Tottenham Hotspur have also emerged as admirers of the 26-year-old and are considering swooping for his signature. Frattesi is under contract until 2028 and has a price tag in the region of €25m (£21m) on his head.
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Elanga tease
Having made signing wingers a priority last summer, out wide became a problem area for Forest as the season progressed. Dan Ndoye, Dilane Bakwa and Omari Hutchinson found the going tough at times.
Stepping into Anthony Elanga’s shoes was always going to be tricky, given the Sweden international had a fine 2024/25 campaign. Replicating such form since his £55m switch to Newcastle United has proved tricky for the former Red, though.
So what if Forest could get Elanga back? Step forward agent Ola Aina. Responding to a comment from a Reds fan on one of his TikTok videos asking if he could “get Elanga back”, Aina joked: “Say less boss.”
Translation: Say no more. Aina included a shaking hands emoji and a saluting emoji for good measure.
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