Nottingham Forest have had a busy few days in the transfer market - and there will be more business to come as they step up preparations for the Premier League campaign.
Defender Giulian Biancone became the Reds’ third summer addition when he penned a three-year deal from Troyes on Sunday. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson had joined on a season-long loan from Manchester United 24 hours earlier, while forward Taiwo Awoniyi was already in place.
The window has already seen some exits from the City Ground, too. In addition to those players who departed at the end of their contracts and completion of loan spells, Mohamed Drager (FC Luzern) and Ethan Horvath (Luton Town) have headed out on loan, and youngster Jayden Richardson made the move to Aberdeen.
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It all means head coach Steve Cooper’s squad is beginning to take shape, with Forest currently in Spain for a training camp. But there is still plenty of work to be done.
There has already been one in (Henderson) and one out (Horvath) in the goalkeeping department. And it is likely to be the same again, in terms of further business in that area.
Brice Samba is expected to return to France, with a move to Lens looking the most likely. Burnley’s Wayne Hennessey could be the man to come in, to provide competition for Henderson.
When it comes to bolstering defensive options, a deal for Mainz centre-back Moussa Niakhate is said to be getting closer. Reports have suggested the two clubs have come to an agreement in principle, with just final details to be sorted out.
Meanwhile, an opening bid for right-back target Neco Williams was rejected by Liverpool, although that is unlikely to be the end of Forest’s interest. On the opposite flank, Huddersfield Town’s Harry Toffolo has been linked, in what could be a double raid on the Terriers, as midfielder Lewis O’Brien is also said to be on the Reds’ radar.
Reinforcements will likely lead to some defensive departures. Richie Laryea could head out on loan, having struggled for game time, while youngsters Jonathan Panzo and Loic Mbe Soh might also benefit from spells elsewhere.
They are not the only ones who might find themselves on the move. Chances may well be limited for the likes of Lyle Taylor, Nuno Da Costa and Nicholas Ioannou, while Forest will look to move on Harry Arter as he has not been part of the first-team set-up for some time.
Elsewhere in the squad, Brennan Johnson handed the club a major boost by penning a new long-term deal. That is arguably one of the most important pieces of business the Reds will do this summer.
Johnson’s previous contract - as with Samba’s - was due to expire in 2023. There are a number of players in the same position, with 12 months left to run on their terms.
Jordan Smith, Jack Colback, Cafu, Joe Lolley, Silva, Arter and Taylor will all see their deals end then, with Da Costa believed to be in the same position. In some cases, Forest may look at cashing in now, rather than seeing players walk away for nothing next year.
Having brought in Awoniyi, Cooper will look to strengthen his attacking options further. A battle is brewing for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Morgan Gibbs-White, with Crystal Palace and Southampton linked.
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