Advertisement

Nottingham Forest transfers state of play as key signing wanted and duo could depart

Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo
-Credit:Getty


Nottingham Forest are well aware there is a lot riding on getting their transfer business right with little more than a week of the January window remaining.

It is a delicate balancing act for the Reds as they look to ensure head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has the resources to maintain the club’s position at the top end of the table without disrupting the solid foundations already in place. Every decision must be judged carefully, with risk and reward weighed up.

Forest have a particularly strong team spirit amid a united dressing room and have built up momentum on the pitch amid an eight-match unbeaten run in the Premier League. They know there is no need for any last-minute panic-buying or mass overhaul of the squad before the 11pm deadline on February 3.

READ MORE: Callum Hudson-Odoi injury update provided after Nottingham Forest suffer Bournemouth collapse

READ MORE: Nuno makes 7-0 point and issues Nottingham Forest warning after 'bad' day at Bournemouth

Technically, the Reds have already made one signing this month. It was announced last week that goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey had re-signed for the club by penning a short-term contract until the end of the season.

There is a question mark over whether the Welshman will be included in Forest’s 25-man Premier League squad when the lists are submitted at the end of the window. The Reds currently have a space spare, but whether Hennessey fills it depends on what other business gets done.

Regardless, the decision to offer the 37-year-old terms sums up what the club are looking for. They want the right characters as much as the right players. Hennessey is highly regarded because of his experience and his influence.

Nuno places a huge emphasis on players’ personalities when it comes to shaping his squad. The same focus will apply to any potential January recruits.

“I look at the player as a human being and how I can make them better,” the Portuguese recently said when responding to Liverpool boss Arne Slot’s comments labelling Forest as big spenders. “How can I make you better? Money doesn’t play football, people do.”

The Reds have strength in depth across most areas of the pitch, and for that reason it is likely to be a relatively quiet end to the window. However, they could certainly do with bringing in another striker.

Brentford’s Yoane Wissa is on their radar. Forest have already had one bid for the front man rejected, and reports suggest they are prepared to try their luck again.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha is another attacking player to have been linked with a move. However, it is understood that is a deal unlikely to happen as things stand.

Nuno was keeping his cards close to his chest when quizzed on both players on Thursday. He simply stressed that the club will only recruit players who can make them stronger and who want to join the Reds.

It remains to be seen whether it will be a case of one attacker in and one out. Taiwo Awoniyi has caught the eye of West Ham United, but both the front man himself and Nuno have insisted he can have a part to play in the Garibaldi in the remainder of the campaign.

As big a priority for the Reds as overseeing any incomings is to retain their key players. Nuno has spoken several times about how much he valued coming through the summer window with the core of his group still intact, and he is eager to ensure the same happens again this month.

Getting defender Murillo and striker Chris Wood tied to new deals is a huge boost. Forest will hope Ola Aina will be next. An automatic year’s extension is set to be triggered on the full-back's contract, which is due to expire in the summer, but talks have taken place regarding a further extension. If Morgan Gibbs-White also puts pen to paper on fresh terms in the near future that would only add to the good news on the contract front.

As for any outgoings in the remainder of the window, a lot of work was done in the summer over trimming numbers. Forest do not have too much deadwood left to cut.

Centre-back Andrew Omobamidele completed a loan switch to Strasbourg on Friday. Midfielder Lewis O'Brien is likely to move on after his loan at Los Angeles FC officially expired on December 31 and the Reds will try to find a move for Emmanuel Dennis. The latter was left out of the 25-man squad for the first half of the season and is on Sheffield Wednesday's radar, according to the Sheffield Star.

What transfer business should Forest do before the window closes? Click HERE to have your say