Nottingham Forest transfer state of play as key addition targeted and Nuno priority clear
The final fortnight of the January transfer window represents both an opportunity and a challenge for Nottingham Forest.
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 a seven-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.
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Technically, the Reds have already made one signing this month. It was announced earlier this 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.
“He has signed a contract, he is with us and it is a pleasure to have him around. He has experience and with the way he goes about things he is a really good person to have around. I am very happy,” Nuno said when the news was announced.
The Portuguese 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,” Nuno said this week 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 emerged as a new name in the frame for Forest’s list of targets this week. The Telegraph reported the club will explore a move for him, if Taiwo Awoniyi departs.
Awoniyi has interest from West Ham United, while Arsenal are also said to have their eye on Wissa. According to TBR Football, the Bees have “no desire” to cash in on the 28-year-old.
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.
As for any other outgoings, a lot of work was done in the summer over trimming numbers. Forest do not have too much deadwood left to cut.
Nevertheless, they will try to find a move for Emmanuel Dennis after he was left out of the 25-man squad for the first half of the season. Lewis O’Brien is also likely to move on after his loan at Los Angeles FC officially expired on December 31 while Andrew Omobamidele continues to be linked with Leeds United and Sheffield United.
Away from potential ins and outs, sorting out fresh contracts for Ola Aina, Chris Wood, Murillo and Morgan Gibbs-White remains top of the agenda. Nuno said on Monday that “things are going normal and well”.
An automatic year’s extension is set to be triggered on Aina’s contract, which is due to expire in the summer. However, talks have taken place regarding a further extension for the full-back. Wood’s current deal is due to run out at the end of the campaign but the Reds are keen to retain his services. Murillo and Gibbs-White are both on longer deals but Forest want to reward them with fresh terms.
