Nuno priority, Marinakis stance - what to expect from Nottingham Forest's January transfer window
The January transfer window is now open and Nottingham Forest know they have a big month ahead.
It could be a relatively quiet window for the Reds as they already have a strong squad in place. But that means whatever business they decide to do carries added importance.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis and head coach Nuno Espirito Santo have both alluded to a desire not to disrupt the dressing room too much. Forest have built up momentum on the pitch and a sense of unity off it, and they do not want to risk destabilising either.
“We must keep the same spirit and same environment in the dressing room and all our players this year have the right spirit. This is a very good climate, we should try our very best not to interrupt it,” Marinakis has said.
Following the summer strategy of careful and considered dealings will be the order of the day. In other words, a sensible month awaits.
Marinakis has already hinted finances will come into play. The Reds experienced the repercussions of falling foul of Profitability and Sustainability Rules with last season’s points deduction, and they do not want to be in the same position again in the future.
“We have the Financial Fair Play that restricts us from unlimited spending,” the Greek businessman has said. “We try our very best to make as much moves in order to strengthen our team wherever is needed.”
Nuno will have the final say on what he feels is required to keep the team challenging at the top end of the table. As was the case in the summer, he has stressed that keeping hold of key players is just as important as making any signings.
The likes of Murillo, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White all had their admirers in the summer window but Forest made a conscious call to rebuff any advances. Given the way players have been performing, it would come as no surprise if their resolve is tested again in the coming weeks.
That decision to retain their star men back in August has paid off and means the Reds are well equipped with strength in depth across the pitch. But there is one obvious area in need of additional resources and that is up front.
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A striker will be at the top of the shopping list, although patience might be required in getting any deal over the line. January is a difficult window at the best of times and forwards always come at a premium. Forest refused to splash the cash for the sake of it in the summer and they won’t want to be pressured into paying over the odds this time around. Moreover, Nuno places as much importance on recruiting players with the right personalities to fit into the dressing room as he does on targeting quality.
“Recruitment is more important than it has ever been. It is not only about tactical understanding and ability, but the human aspect and where you want to go. They have to fit into our culture," the Portuguese recently said. “It is also about avoiding mistakes, and being absolutely sure that when the player comes in he’s a piece that fits into your puzzle.”
As for outgoings, the club did much of the groundwork in moving on fringe players in the summer. Nevertheless, they will try to oversee an exit for Emmanuel Dennis while Lewis O’Brien is also in line to head elsewhere now his loan at Los Angeles FC has officially expired.
Meanwhile, decisions may need to be made on whether to send some players out on loan to get more game time. Andrew Omobamidele, for example, finds himself down the pecking order and summer signing Eric da Silva Moreira has also been short of minutes.
