Boss Steve Cooper played down any suggestions Nottingham Forest might add to their number of summer signings before Sunday’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
Seventeen new faces have been brought in so far since the Reds clinched promotion - although two have immediately gone out on loan - and they are still targeting further business before next Thursday’s 11pm deadline. Bolstering their defensive ranks is a priority - at wing-back and at centre-back - as Cooper aims to have sufficient cover in every position.
The Welshman would not be drawn on reports of Everton’s Michael Keane being a target. But he reiterated the level of “ambition” being shown by the club with the deals already done.
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Signing made
Nottingham Forest have announced the arrival of Hwang Ui-jo, with the striker immediately heading out on loan.
The 29-year-old becomes the Reds’ 17th new arrival of the summer, albeit Brandon Aguilera, like Ui-jo, also went straight out on loan. The latter will link up with fellow Evangelos Marinakis-owned club Olympiacos for the rest of the season.
Announcing the front man’s arrival, Forest said: “Nottingham Forest is delighted to confirm the signing of striker Hwang Ui-jo from French side Bordeaux. The South Korea international will immediately head out on loan to Greek champions Olympiacos for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.
“The 29-year-old has 47 caps for his country and signed for Bordeaux from Gamba Osaka in 2019. Since his arrival in France, Ui-jo has scored 29 goals including 11 in last season's Ligue 1 campaign. We wish Hwang all the best during his loan spell in Greece.”
Pearce's prediction
Nottingham Forest legend Stuart Pearce has tipped the Reds to "have a good go" at the Premier League this season.
Pearce thinks Forest will finish well clear of the relegation zone thanks to owner Evangelos Marinakis backing the club in the transfer market this summer.
Left-back Pearce, who played for Forest from 1985 until 1997 and managed the club during the 2014-15 season, has also said the squad are "well coached" under the guidance of head coach Steve Cooper.
"The amount of players Forest brought in... even after three games, you can't see them going down," Pearce told talkSPORT. "You can't see them being near the relegation zone, I don't think.
Potential exit
Boss Steve Cooper has admitted a loan move is a possibility for Nottingham Forest youngster Alex Mighten before the transfer window closes.
Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town and Hearts have all been linked with the 20-year-old. And although Cooper remains a big admirer of the academy graduate, he acknowledges his game time could be limited at the City Ground this season.
Injuries and finding it tough to break into a winning team which didn’t change too much week to week, meant Mighten started just twice under Cooper last term. To avoid stunting the attacker’s progress, the Welshman wants to avoid a repeat of that scenario this time around.
“I’ve gone on record many times to say what I think Alex can be for Forest in the long-term. And everybody’s way of getting there looks different,” Cooper told NottinghamshireLive ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
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