Forest secure transfer double but Bowler stays put
Nottingham Forest confirmed the double arrival of Stoke City striker Sam Surridge and Dijon defender Jonathan Panzo but missed out on Blackpool's Josh Bowler.
The Reds are understood to have agreed a fee of around £2million for Potters forward Surridge and clinched Panzo's signature as he completed the formalities of his switch last night.
But Blackpool have rejected all bids for Bowler as Forest also chased Millwall's Jed Wallace - and both players now look set to stay until the end of the season.
Posting an update on Forest's search for a winger, Telegraph journalist John Percy Tweeted: "#nffc to confirm signings of Sam Surridge & Jonathan Panzo, but barring unexpected late drama will not be signing a winger.
"Blackpool FC have rejected a number of bids for Josh Bowler and insist he will stay. Millwall have also turned down offers for Jed Wallace."
Surridge confirmed
Nottingham Forest have confirmed the transfer deadline day signing of striker Sam Surridge from Stoke City.
The 23-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Reds, joining for an undisclosed fee, which is believed to be about £2.2million.
Surridge’s move to the City Ground sees him reunited with head coach Steve Cooper, with the pair having worked together at Swansea City.
The front man joined the Potters from Bournemouth in the summer, but has had a stop-start first half of the season. He has scored four goals in 24 appearances so far this term.
Surridge came up through the ranks at the Cherries, having loan spells at Weymouth, Poole Town, Yeovil Town, Oldham Athletic and the Swans before his switch the Stoke last year.
Panzo arrives
Nottingham Forest have confirmed the transfer deadline day signing of defender Jonathan Panzo.
The 21-year-old has put pen to paper on a permanent contract with the Reds, until the summer of 2025, making the move from French side Dijon. An initial offer was rejected, but a fee believed to be in the region of £1.5m was agreed.
The deal sees him reunited with Forest head coach Steve Cooper, with the pair having worked together at England youth level.
Panzo was at Chelsea as a youngster, before making the move to Monaco in 2018, going on to sign for Dijon two years later.
The left-sided centre-back leaves the club having made 22 appearances in Ligue 1 this season.
Taylor opens up
Lyle Taylor says he feels like he "is a footballer again" as he opened up on his exit from Nottingham Forest.
The striker joined Birmingham City last week on a loan deal until the end of the season having slipped down the pecking order at the City Ground.
Taylor made an immediate impact for the Blues as he scored on his debut in a dramatic 2-2 draw against arch-rivals Derby County on Sunday.
Reds fans are keeping a close eye on how the former Charlton forward gets on with Taylor due to return to the club at the end of the campaign.
And Taylor says he intends to make the most of his switch to St Andrew's.
He told the Birmingham Mail : "It’s strange, I speak to my family and the only way I can put words to it is I actually feel like a footballer again. I am preparing for a game of football.
Defender departs
Defender Rodrigo Ely has left Nottingham Forest barely four months after he put pen to paper for the club, with his contract terminated by mutual consent.
He departs without making a single appearance in the Garibaldi, having joined as a free agent last September.
Ely penned a one-year deal when he made the switch to the Reds, having previously been with Deportivo Alaves.
He posted a message on social media, saying: “Hi! I want to tell you that I'm no longer a @NFFC player.
"Those who know me know that football is my life, and playing my greatest hope and motivation."
