It has been a quiet start to the window for Nottingham Forest, but transfer activity is expected to start ramping up in the coming weeks.
Fans are still waiting for the first new arrival of the summer. And other than those released at the end of their contracts, the first few weeks of the window have not seen any significant departures from the City Ground.
Unlike last year, the Reds do not require a mass overhaul. But once again there is plenty riding on getting the right deals done.
That applies both to incomings and outgoings, in order to leave head coach Steve Cooper with sufficient strength in depth to push on in the top-flight. We take a look at what would represent a dream transfer window on the banks of the Trent.
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Incomings
Getting the majority of their business tied up well in advance of the season starting would be the ideal for Forest. Cooper won’t have as many new faces to integrate as he did in 2022, but having as long as possible to work with them before the action kicks off would be a great help nevertheless.
With no signings made so far, the Reds have got their work cut out in order for that to happen. Ticking Dean Henderson off the list as soon as they can would definitely represent a perfect start.
Forest are having to be patient in their pursuit of the goalkeeper. But if they can lower Manchester United’s valuation of between £25-30 million and get a deal over the line quickly, that would represent solid business and mean a key position is sorted.
If we’re talking dream windows, Renan Lodi would be in there. Getting him back from Atletico Madrid seems tough, however, and it looks as though alternatives must be considered.
The Reds do have Omar Richards and Harry Toffolo on the books, while Neco Williams can also play on that flank. The hope will be Richards is finally able to make his debut and can have a part to play, having been sidelined since last summer with a hairline fracture of the leg. Left-back has been a problem area for the Reds in the past, though, and the club will be eager to avoid that curse striking again.
Elsewhere, bolstering Cooper’s attacking options is a must. Forest will hope to get a striker who can help share the goalscoring burden with Taiwo Awoniyi.
Adding someone who can play as a no.10 and out wide would also go down well. Signing a midfielder and centre-back would help strengthen the squad, too.
The Reds don’t need too many new arrivals. And they will place as much emphasis on recruiting the right characters as ensuring their targets are of sufficient quality.
Getting the balance right between youth and experience, having options across the pitch and a happy dressing room is the goal. And all at a decent price.
Outgoings
There will likely be some discrepancy between the dream and the reality when it comes to potential exits. Ideally, Forest would like to finally get Harry Arter off their wage bill, but that will be easier said than done. Likewise, getting a significant sum for Jonjo Shelvey barely five months after he put pen to paper will be tricky.
The squad does require a fair bit of trimming. There were already players left out of the 25-man squad last time around and space will also need to be created for those who come in.
Moreover, the Reds have a number of players who have been, or are currently, out on loan, about whom decisions will need to be made on their futures. It is difficult to see the likes of Loic Mbe Soh, Jonathan Panzo, Mohamed Drager, Richie Laryea and Hwang Ui-jo having a part to play, so the hope will be to raise a bit of cash by overseeing some sales.
There are question marks over a fair few others, too, including Steve Cook, Lewis O’Brien, Sam Surridge and Emmanuel Dennis. Meanwhile, the club will want to set up good loan deals for some of their promising younger players such as Riley Harbottle, Dale Taylor and Aaron Donnelly.
But a dream window will also involve those who end up staying put. Having already rejected one bid for Brennan Johnson, it would be no surprise if the club's resolve is tested again. And it might be that others start sniffing around Morgan Gibbs-White, too.
Hanging on to their star players, while building a team around them, is the ideal scenario for Forest. That would ensure there is a good squad in place to try to progress next term.
