Four deals Nottingham Forest could do before transfer window deadline as key calls loom
Deadline day is looming large for Nottingham Forest as they work on wrapping up their January window business.
The Reds have until 11pm on Monday (February 3) to get deals done and it promises to be an interesting few days ahead. With Nuno Espirito Santo’s side well placed in the Premier League table, overseeing the right incomings and outgoings carries added importance.
Other than re-signing goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey on a short-term contract, Forest are yet to welcome any new faces. Heading in the opposite direction, defender Andrew Omobamidele has been the only significant exit with a loan move to Strasbourg completed last week.
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It has been a relatively quiet month so far at the City Ground but arrivals and departures are possible before next week’s deadline. Below, we take a look at the state of play on some of the key deals the Reds could sanction.
Yoane Wissa
Forest were unable to get a deal for a striker over the line in the summer, despite their best efforts. They have a few days left to add more firepower this time around.
Several names have been linked with the Reds, with Brentford forward Wissa among those on the club’s radar. They have already had one bid, reportedly in the region of £18-22 million, rebuffed but have been tipped to try again.
Bees boss Thomas Frank has maintained his stance from earlier in the window that the 28-year-old is “not for sale”. He said last week: “He has been our leading number nine and done fantastic, so I cannot see why we should sell him."
Since then, Wissa has addressed the speculation about his future and confirmed Forest’s interest in him. In a translated interview, he added: “It's true that for the moment I'm focused on Brentford but we'll see what happens.”
Douglas Luiz
The Reds have been linked with the Juventus midfielder but it seems they would face some tough competition to secure his services. Manchester City are among the teams to have also been credited with an interest, and it is said Luiz favours either a move to the City Ground or to the reigning Premier League champions.
City reportedly want a straight loan for the 26-year-old but it appears that would not cut it for Juve. The Italian heavyweights are said to prefer a permanent transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy. Talk of a €50-45m (£42-37m) price tag being placed on the player’s head has done the rounds.
According to Brazilian publication Bolavip, Forest are “trying” to sign Luiz and would be “willing to make a bigger investment” than their Premier League rivals. The player’s agents are said to be “in frequent contact” with European teams as a move is sought. Chelsea, Manchester United and Fulham are also said to be keen. Finances will no doubt have an impact on how many and which signings the Reds look to do.
Emmanuel Dennis
Trying to find a move for a player who has not had any competitive game time since April was always going to be difficult. Add in a reported salary in the region of £4m and it becomes even tougher.
A return to Watford, who he joined Forest from in 2022 and where he spent part of last term on loan, is said to be the most likely outcome for Dennis. Sheffield Wednesday and Rangers have also been linked and heading abroad, potentially to Saudi Arabia, could be another avenue open to the attacker.
Lewis O’Brien
At the weekend, Preston North End became the latest club said to have their eye on the midfielder. Burnley, Blackburn Rovers and Hull City have been linked in the past.
O’Brien’s loan spell with Los Angeles FC officially expired on December 31 and it seems the MLS side have ruled out taking up their option to sign him on a permanent basis. He is in a similar position to Dennis in that his wages could prove to be a stumbling block in securing a move.
The Lancashire Post have reported finding room on the wage bill for O’Brien could be problematic for Preston. The fact they already have Josh Bowler on loan from Forest is part of the complication. The Lilywhites are apparently willing to allow the winger to cut short his stint with them, but with no recall clause included in his deal that is proving a difficult deal to do.
