The summer transfer window officially opens a week today, and Nottingham Forest will be aiming to emerge the other side of it with a strong squad in place.
Clubs have from Wednesday, June 14 until 11pm on Friday, September 1 to get deals done. For the Reds, it is about seizing the opportunity given to them by securing Premier League survival.
That means changes to the dressing room, with incomings and outgoings expected. As the countdown to the window opening begins, we take a look at Forest’s priorities this summer.
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Get a goalkeeper
Get Dean Henderson in! The Reds are keen to sign him after a successful loan spell, the player wants to make the move to the City Ground and it seems Manchester United are willing to let him go.
Finances and any other interest would be the potential stumbling blocks, but in theory this should be a fairly easy(ish) one to get done. Albeit these things are rarely as simple as that.
Getting the goalkeeping situation sorted early on in the window would be a big plus, given it is such a key position. Forest also need to weigh up what happens with Ethan Horvath, who has been on loan at Luton Town. The Hatters have previously indicated they have an option to buy, and it is unlikely the American would want to return Trentside just to sit on the bench.
Other areas to strengthen
Head coach Steve Cooper doesn’t need too many additions to his squad this summer. The nucleus of a good group is already in place, just a few key signings are needed.
Renan Lodi would be one, if a deal can be done. The Atletico Madrid left-back impressed on loan, but getting him back would have to be for the right price and his family situation might also be a consideration.
Tied to that is the fitness of Omar Richards. Will he be in contention for the upcoming season, having been sidelined since last summer? If so and if Lodi returns (or an alternative target is signed), that would have an impact on Harry Toffolo as it would make little sense having three left-backs in the squad.
Adding some more firepower is also a must. Taiwo Awoniyi was a big miss when he was out injured, so another striker is required. Potentially an attacking midfielder or someone to provide threat from out wide, too.
Midfield is another area to target, given Jack Colback is to depart and Jonjo Shelvey could follow. But a call will also need to be made over whether Lewis O’Brien has a part to play when he returns from his DC United loan on July 16.
And it may be a centre-back is required as Forest try to shore up at the back. They have several on the books, but decisions will need to be made about some this summer.
Contract calls
That brings us to getting contract situations sorted. When it comes to the centre-backs in particular, several are due to see their current deals expire in 2024.
With 12 months left to run, now is about the time when clubs either offer fresh terms or look to cash-in rather than risk players walking away as free agents. Joe Worrall, Scott McKenna, Steve Cook, Willy Boly and Felipe are all in that boat, as is Loic Mbe Soh, who spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Guingamp. Cook has already indicated his future will need to be addressed, having been left out of the 25-man squad following the closure of the January transfer window.
Also with a year left on their contracts are Serge Aurier, Horvath, Wayne Hennessey, Harry Arter, Cheikhou Kouyate and Sam Surridge. Chris Wood is said to have a contract until 2024 when his move officially becomes permanent next week.
Oversee outgoings
There will be as much focus on exits as on signings during the window. There is a need to trim the squad.
Cook, Richards and Giulian Biancone were left off the 25-man list for the second half of the campaign. And this time around, younger players such as Brennan Johnson, Neco Williams and Danilo will need to be included, having previously been in the under-21 group which does not count towards that total.
All of that means some players will be moved on, with space also needed to be made for incomings. Additionally, Forest have a number of players who have been out on loan - the likes of Horvath, O’Brien, Mbe Soh, Richie Laryea, Josh Bowler, Hwang Ui-jo and Braian Ojeda. Do any of them have a part to play either this coming season or in the future, or would seeking out permanent moves be best?
Setting up loans
Following on from the above point, for some of the club’s much younger players, in particular, the Reds will look into the prospect of loan spells. They will no doubt be eager to avoid a repeat of what happened with Alex Mighten, when his stint at Sheffield Wednesday was cut short - much to Cooper's frustration.
"That will be part of the job, looking after everybody,” Cooper has said. “There needs to be the right programme, the right plans and decisions made on everybody that belongs to the club.”
Riley Harbottle, for instance, did well on loan at Mansfield Town. The Stags were keen to get him back but have indicated a League One loan is most likely for the youngster.
What transfer business should Forest do this summer? Have your say in the comments below
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