Need to know
Nottingham Forest are close to adding to Oliver Glasner's squad with their first signing of the summer transfer window
10:15, 16 Jul 2026
Austria international Xaver Schlager is expected to sign for Nottingham Forest
Austria international Xaver Schlager is expected to sign for Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty)
Everything you need to know…
Signing Close: Nottingham Forest are on the verge of making free-agent midfielder Xaver Schlager their first signing of the summer transfer window. The Austria international is expected to sign a two-year deal with the option for an additional 12 months.
Competition Seen Off: Schlager has opted for a move to the City Ground despite attracting interest from several other top European clubs. The 28-year-old is a free transfer after opting not to renew his contract with RB Leipzig at the end of last season.
Glasner Pull: The opportunity to work with fellow Austrian Oliver Glasner again is likely to have been a key factor in the midfielder’s decision to join the Reds. Glasner was appointed Forest head coach last week and knows Schlager from their time together at German club Wolfsburg.
Priority Position: The anticipated arrival of Schlager will strengthen a key area of the pitch for Forest. The departure of Elliot Anderson to Manchester City in a British record £116 million transfer left a significant void to be filled in midfield.
Vast Experience: Schlager will bring plenty of experience with him, having been vice-captain at Leipzig and been part of the Austria team to reach the last 32 of the World Cup. All being well, he should join up with the Reds in time for next week’s trip to Portugal for a warm-weather training camp ahead of the upcoming season.
Fight for Places: While Schlager will bolster a midfield department that already includes players like Ibrahim Sangare, Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates, Forest's summer transfer business is not yet finished. Further reinforcements are expected before the window closes on September 1, with full-back, centre-back and the goalkeeping department in line for strengthening.
READ THE FULL STORY: Oliver Glasner influence clear as Nottingham Forest set for first summer signing