The transfer window is yet to really crank into gear for Nottingham Forest, but the Reds know they face a crucial summer.
As soon as Premier League survival was secured last season, head coach Steve Cooper talked about using it as a platform to build on. Overseeing the right transfer business will form an important part of that.
The numbers involved will not be on the same scale as last year’s record-breaking summer, when 22 signings came through the doors. But incomings and outgoings are required for the Reds to push on in the top-flight.
By the time the window closes on September 1, Forest will want to have a strong squad in place. They will be keen to avoid any of the below, as NottinghamshireLive takes a look at the worst way the window could unfold at the City Ground…
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Henderson saga drags on
Bringing back Dean Henderson on a permanent basis is seen as a priority for the club, following his successful loan spell. Goalkeeper is a key area to be addressed - and the sooner it gets sorted, the better.
However, Manchester United’s own complex goalkeeping situation is delaying getting a deal done. And there is also the small matter of agreeing a fee.
Forest want Henderson, Henderson wants to make the move, United are seemingly happy to let him go (eventually). It all sounds so simple.
The Reds can exercise patience to a certain extent, but they won’t want to hang around too long. They need to know they’ve got a No.1 in place, and they will want to make sure that is the case well in advance of the season starting.
No attacking reinforcements
Sorting out the goalkeeper and left-back positions are top of the to-do list, but bolstering Cooper’s attacking arsenal will also be up there. Adding more goal threat is a must.
Taiwo Awoniyi was sorely missed during his injury absence last term. The hope is he will have better luck on that front this time around, but he still needs some help. And the Reds need options, as well as competition for places, at the top end of the pitch.
The focus for this window is on quality over quantity, and Forest need to make sure they bring the right players in. But it would make things very tough if, for whatever reason, they are unable to add a striker.
Players hang around
The Reds were already over the 25-man limit for their Premier League squad last season. Steve Cook, Omar Richards and Giulian Biancone were left out when it was revised in January - albeit the latter two were injured. Cafu and Lyle Taylor had already been left off the list.
Numbers need to be trimmed this summer. Space needs to be made to accommodate new arrivals.
The club will look to move several players on. But as has been the case before, that doesn’t always happen and some end up staying put.
Being left with a big ‘bomb squad’ is nobody’s idea of a good summer. There will inevitably be some fringe players who don’t move on, but Forest will want to avoid having too many (ideally any) players who are still picking up wages without having a part to play.
Late Johnson bid comes in
Brentford have already seen an attempt to poach Brennan Johnson rebuffed. Their £30 million bid was well below what the Wales international is worth.
Johnson isn’t short of admirers, however. It would be no surprise if other offers are made between now and the end of the window.
Forest don’t want to sell; the ideal scenario is being able to build the squad around the likes of the Nigel Doughty Academy graduate, Morgan Gibbs-White and Danilo. It would be nice to think absolutely any offer would be turned down, but real life doesn’t always work like that.
As is the case at every club, every player has a price. It would be understandable if serious consideration was at least given should a very substantial bid come in for Johnson.
Upwards of £50m and the Reds could have a huge decision to make. It would be a real headache if they were faced with having to make that call with deadline looming.
Timescales aside, an argument can be made that losing Johnson at any point would be a nightmare. Not only is he one of the brightest prospects in the league, he is also one of Forest’s own.
