The latest Nottingham Forest transfer news brought to you by NottinghamshireLive on Friday, June 17.
Cooper contract talks
Nottingham Forest are close to securing the services of manager Steve Cooper on a new contract to provide a major boost to the newly promoted Premier League club.
Cooper has flown out to Athens for talks with owner Evangelos Marinakis over Forest’s transfer plans, claims The Telegraph, and negotiations are also expected to advance over an improved long-term deal for the 42-year-old manager. The former Swansea boss oversaw an incredible turnaround in fortunes for the Reds last season, taking over a club bottom of the Championship in September and leading them to promotion via the play-off final.
Forest's dream line-up on day one
Nottingham Forest now know they will start their Premier League season against Newcastle United on August 6.
There is still time of before then for the Reds to force through plenty of signings with Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson looking likely to join on loan. The Reds are also understood to be in talks with Mainz over a deal to sign Moussa Niakhate. They have further interest in the likes of Manchester City right-back Issa Kabore and Chelsea striker Armando Broja, but they are not included in our line-up below, which is how the Reds could start against Newcastle based on their current transfer plans.
Reds push for key Man Utd transfer detail
Nottingham Forest are said to be at an “advanced stage” in negotiations for a deal to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
The Reds are understood to be ‘increasingly confident’ of completing their first transfer of the summer, and Nottinghamshire Live understands the player is open to a move to the City Ground. He has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs this summer but is looking likely to find a new temporary home in the East Midlands.
Sky Sports News have reported that Forest are ‘close to agreeing a deal’ that has an option to buy the goalkeeper for a fee of around £20 million.
Forest make stance clear on Mainz man
Nottingham Forest have made their stance clear on their pursuit of athletic French defender Moussa Niakhate.
NottinghamshireLive understands that Steve Cooper is keen to sign the centre-half and that the club have held talks with the player who has been a Bundesliga regular for Mainz for the last four seasons. The 26-year-old left-sided central defender has a year left on his contract at the club where he has made 135 appearances in all competitions and scored nine goals.
Life beyond Spence
Djed Spence has attracted serious interest after his dazzling and energetic performances in the Championship last season.
The 21-year-old, who spent 2021-22 at Nottingham Forest on loan from from Middlesbrough, was mainly deployed as an all-action wing-back who under the management of Steve Cooper was instructed to dominate the right-hand side and flourished in this role. He is understandably attracting attention from England’s elite, with Tottenham Hotspur said to be keen on the England Under-21 star although reports Antonio Conte's side have agreed a fee with Boro over the player are premature.
Forest want to bring him in again next season and he would be a huge miss if they cannot get the 21 year-old on a permanent deal. Cooper and Forest's hierarchy will have been making contingency plans in the event that Spence does not return to Trentside.
Here we look at five alternative targets for cooper to consider...
