Whatever happens between now and the end of May, Nottingham Forest face a big summer transfer window.
Much of how it pans out will depend on which division the club find themselves planning for ahead of next term. Steve Cooper’s side have seven games left to try to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
Whether they succeed in that or not will have an impact on the futures of some of those currently on the books, as well as the kinds of targets the Reds could go for. If Forest stay up, owner Evangelos Marinakis will want to strengthen in order to push on, while if the worst happens it will be imperative to put together a squad capable of bouncing straight back.
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The summer will also be the first opportunity for newly-appointed chief football officer Ross Wilson to make his mark. Given Filippo Giraldi, George Syrianos and Andy Scott have all been axed this season as recruitment has come under scrutiny, the former Rangers chief will know the importance of doing the right deals.
The Reds are already being linked with a number of players. Striker Sydney van Hooijdonk is the latest name to have emerged as a possible target. He has been in good form for Heerenveen, on loan from Bologna.
Meanwhile, Forest are among a number of top-flight teams to apparently have 18-year-old forward Adama Bojang on their radar. Chelsea and Crystal Palace are also reported to be keen on the teenager, who currently plays for Steve Biko FC in Gambia and is said to be valued at £650,000.
Other names to have cropped up on the transfer rumour mill include Benfica left-back Alejandro Grimaldo, Genk winger Mike Tresor, Barcelona winger Abde Ezzalzouli and Flamengo attacking midfielder Matheus Franca. The summer won’t see anything like the number of incomings witnessed last year, but there are several areas of the pitch which need addressing, meaning ins and outs are likely.
When it comes to potential outgoings, Forest have a number of players whose contracts are due to expire at the end of the campaign. Decisions will need to be made about whether to offer fresh terms or to allow them to leave as free agents.
For some, the club are likely to wait to see how the next few weeks pan out. For others, it would be little surprise if new deals are forthcoming regardless of the Reds’ fate.
Lyle Taylor and Cafu, for example, were not included in the 25-man Premier League squad, while Jordan Smith is currently on loan at Huddersfield Town. Stoke City are believed to have been watching the latter’s situation, while depending on what happens with ex-Reds boss Sabri Lamouchi in the summer, Cardiff City could provide a potential option for Smith.
Jesse Lingard has not had the impact it was hoped he would have since arriving as a free agent last year. Leicester City have reportedly shown "tentative interest" in the former Manchester United man, alongside Turkish side Fenerbahce and clubs in the Middle East.
Serge Aurier has said an automatic one-year extension on his contract will be triggered if survival is secured, while Forest have an option to make Renan Lodi’s loan from Atletico Madrid permanent - albeit the left-back has also been linked with a move to Juventus. Jack Colback and Andre Ayew make up the list of those whose deals are set to expire this summer, while Dean Henderson and Keylor Navas will see their loans run out.
On the subject of loans, the Reds have players currently plying their trade elsewhere. Decisions will need to be made about where they stand, calls which could be affected by which division Forest are in.
Lewis O’Brien has already said: “I want to go back and prove to Forest and myself what I’m capable of.” DC United have an option to buy as part of his loan deal, but MLS sides are required to have such a clause inserted.
Luton Town have previously hinted they also have an option to make Ethan Horvath’s loan permanent, while Real Salt Lake have one for Braian Ojeda and FC Luzern for Mohamed Drager. Given he has struggled to force his way into contention during his time at the City Ground, it would be no surprise if Loic Mbe Soh (currently on loan at Guingamp) moves on, while Richie Laryea, Jonathan Panzo, Brandon Aguilera, Josh Bowler and Hwang Ui-jo are also currently getting game time with other clubs. Rangers are said to be “monitoring” Panzo.
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