Transfer status of every Nottingham Forest player as January window deadline looms
It could be an interesting end to the January transfer window for Nottingham Forest as deadline day looms into view.
Clubs have until 11pm on February 3 to complete their winter business, leaving little more than a week to go. The Reds do not need to do too much work, but they will want to ensure head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has a strong enough squad to continue to challenge at the top end of the Premier League table.
Incomings and outgoings are possible at the City Ground in the coming days. Below, we look at the transfer status of every senior player currently in situ Trentside.
Matz Sels: Arguably the most in-form goalkeeper in the Premier League right now. He is the Reds’ clear No.1 and has saved them plenty of points already this term. Forest will need him to keep performing at that level between now and May.
Carlos Miguel: Back-up to Sels after signing from Corinthians last summer. Nuno has promised the Brazilian will start every FA Cup match so he is guaranteed at least another 90-minute run-out with the fourth-round trip to Exeter City next month.
Wayne Hennessey: Penned a short-term deal until the end of the season earlier this month. Is highly valued for the experience he has to offer and his influence in the dressing room. No guarantee he will be included in the 25-man squad after the window closes but a coaching role could be on the cards at some point.
Neco Williams: Has made the left-back spot his own in recent weeks and is playing out of his skin. Forest have benefitted from stability in the back line, so keeping everybody fit will be the priority for the remainder of the campaign.
Harry Toffolo: Game time has been limited this term, and that is unlikely to change in the coming months. The defender is a good presence to have in the dressing room, though. Will most likely leave when his contract expires in the summer but there has been no indication a departure will happen before then.
Alex Moreno: The Aston Villa loanee now finds himself below Williams in the pecking order, having lost his place in the starting XI. Has a fight on his hands to get it back, too. Forest hold an option to make his move a permanent one but he has been linked with a return to former club Real Betis.
Willy Boly: Reports towards the end of last year suggested the centre-back has an offer to move to Saudi Arabia when his deal runs out at the end of the season. Can continue to be a good back-up option for Nuno until then.
Murillo: A real statement of intent to get the Brazilian star tied down until 2029 on fresh terms. Will undoubtedly continue to have his admirers but he is going nowhere. A huge positive for the Reds.
Nikola Milenkovic: Looks even more of a bargain with every game he plays in the Garibaldi. The £12 million summer signing has helped to transform the Reds’ fortunes and will be key to their push for European football.
Morato: Trusted by Nuno to come on and help to see games out. Has to be patient in the search for more league starts but is a key player nevertheless. Only 23 and has a bright future ahead.
Ola Aina: The sooner the club get fresh terms for the full-back sorted, the better. An automatic year’s extension is set to be triggered on his contract, which is due to expire in the summer. However, talks have taken place regarding a further extension. Has to be in the running for Forest’s player of the season.
Eric da Silva Moreira: The teenager clearly has potential and has done well whenever he has been given a chance. The dilemma for Forest is whether to consider a loan or to keep him in and around Nuno’s squad.
Ryan Yates: Competition for midfield places is fierce, particularly with Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare on their way back into contention. The skipper will have a role to play, though. Few can wind up the opposition better than he can.
Danilo: Having the Brazilian back from a broken ankle for the second half of the season is a huge boost for the Reds. Nuno is continuing to tread carefully with him but has said just having a smiley Danilo involved again has given everyone a big lift.
Nicolas Dominguez: The Argentine has put in some fine performances this term. Forest are well stocked in the centre of the pitch but he has a strong case to continue to be a regular starter.
Ibrahim Sangare: Reportedly caught the eye of Rennes but made clear he has no plans to return to France as he is focused on returning to action. Has been sidelined since September with a hamstring problem but is said to be hopeful of making his comeback by the end of this month.
James Ward-Prowse: Loan spell from West Ham United perhaps hasn’t gone as hoped as the midfielder hasn’t played as much as he would have liked. Nuno values what he has to offer, though, and he provides a good option for the Portuguese as and when required.
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Lewis O’Brien: Loan stint at Los Angeles FC officially expired at the end of December. Seemingly has no shortage of admirers as another move is sure to be on the cards. Linked with Burnley, Blackburn Rovers and Hull City.
Elliot Anderson: Competing with Milenkovic for the title of signing of the season. Every time he excels on the pitch - which is most weeks - is a kick in the gut for Newcastle United after they were forced to sell him in the summer.
Morgan Gibbs-White: The Reds will hope the England international soon follows Murillo in agreeing a new deal. There is no understating his importance Trentside. Nuno has been clear that retaining the core of his squad is a priority this window, and Gibbs-White is very much in that category.
Callum Hudson-Odoi: One of the best pieces of business Forest have overseen in recent years, having snapped him up for an initial £3m. At 24, still has his best years ahead of him and can improve further.
Anthony Elanga: Whether Newcastle’s flirtation with him towards the end of the summer window affected him, only the winger will know. Has been back to his best of late, though, after a mixed start to the campaign.
Jota Silva: Has put in some decent displays in his first few months at the City Ground. It can be tough to find consistency while still adapting to English football, though, and the Portuguese just needs to keep plugging away.
Ramon Sosa: A similar situation to Jota. Hasn’t made many starts and still looks to be getting to grips with everything. Seems to have something about him, though.
Taiwo Awoniyi: A question mark over whether the front man will still be at the club come the end of the window. Has caught the eye of West Ham but there is no chance Forest will even consider letting him go without strengthening their own attacking resources.
Chris Wood: Having the season of his life in front of goal. The Reds need to secure some additional support for him but the New Zealander committed his future by penning a new deal earlier this week.
Emmanuel Dennis: Trying to oversee a move for the attacker will be on the club’s to-do list in the remainder of the window. Was left out of the 25-man squad for the first half of the season and his situation has not changed since.
