A week on from promotion to the Premier League, Nottingham Forest are stepping up preparations for a first top flight campaign in 23 years.
The Reds are set to spend part of pre-season in Spain when players return from their well earned holidays with transfer rumours abound in their absence. We discussed the shape of next season's squad on the latest Garibaldi Red podcast with Matt Davies, Sarah Clapson and Reds legend Garry Birtles.
How much business will Forest do?
SC: "I think they'll try to stick with the basis of what they have now including the loan players. Dane Murphy said why try to break something up that's working well. He said it doesn't make sense and I agree with that. The squad needs supplementing and adding too. You need young exciting players, but also players with experience. Forest have got that. It's about trying to bolster what's there."
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Goalkeepers
Forest have been linked with Burnley's Nick Pope as Brice Samba enters the final year of his contract. Ethan Horvath has also proved himself to be a capable number two.
GB : "I would say Samba is better than half a dozen goalkeepers in the Premier League when he's on his game. He's a great shot stopper and he'll take pressure off defenders. I think he can hack it at the highest level.
"Spending that much on a goalkeeper (Burnley reportedly want £40m but an offer of £12m is reported) is excessive. Brice has been different class this season and we'll remember the penalty saves against Sheffield United for a long time to come. He deserves his chance at the top table. I think there's more pressing positions to be sorted out."
Other players linked: None
Central defenders
Forest could start next with the same back three of Joe Worrall, Steve Cook and Scott McKenna. At least one signing is likely though with Tobias Figueiredo poised to leave at the end of his contract. Loic Mbe Soh and Jonathan Panzo could be set for loan moves.
SC: "Those two (Mbe Soh and Panzo) need to build game time. They're not going to get that in the Premier League. They're highly rated and have a lot of potential. I'd be looking to strengthen in that department. The back three have been a great platform so you want back-up, competition and cover there."
Players linked: Mickael Nade (St Etienne), Joe Rodon (Swansea), Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle), Attila Szalai (Fenerbahce)
Right-wing back
Forest are keen to sign Djed Spence from Middlesbrough on a permanent basis with the asking price thought to be standing at around £17m at present. Their main rivals appear to be Tottenham, but Dortmund, Newcastle, Roma and Brentford have also been linked.
SC : "It's a bidding war. Who is willing to pay the most and also Djed Spence you hope has a say where he wants to go, which will play in Forest's favour you hope. He's linked with so many big clubs. When you've got Tottenham offering everything they can offer it's difficult. It's not an easy decision to make."
GB: "Is he going to be a first choice at somewhere like Tottenham? You've got to weigh the pros and cons. He's a young lad with a lot to learn but he's getting all the plaudits he deserves. Everyone wants pace and creativity in the final third. He's one that is difficult to stop in full flow."
Nottinghamshire Live understands Manchester City defender Issa Kabore, who spent last season on loan at Troyes, is an alternative. He was voted best young player at the most recent Africa Cup of Nations after helping Burkina Faso come third. Richie Laryea will also hope to stake a claim after arriving at the club in January but playing second fiddle to Spence.
Left-wing back
Steve Cooper is a big fan of Max Lowe and Forest were keen to buy him in January. That may well happen this summer.
SC : "I think they'll try to buy him. There's always a Premier League premium. He didn't have the best of seasons in the Premier League with Sheffield United but he wasn't particularly happy there. He wants to come to Forest.
"Sheffield United will have to cut their cloth a bit now. The only question is his injury record. Is he going to be fit for a whole season? Steve Cooper rates his defensive ability probably more than Djed Spence's."
Jack Colback was exceptional when covering for - and effectively replacing - Lowe in the final weeks of the season.
Other players linked: Barnsley's Callum Styles can play anywhere down the left or in the centre of midfield. Forest are understood to have monitored his progress for the last year. He has just become a Hungary international having qualified through a grandmother.
Central midfield
James Garner is Forest's biggest first priority having returned to Manchester United. The arrival of new boss Erik ten Hag means the Reds must bide their time.
SC: "That one will need patience. He's United's player and they've got a new manager who wants to assess him. Forest are the head of the queue if United want to loan him out again or even sell him. He needs Premier League experience and Forest can offer that."
Forest will likely look for further additions here with Cafu, Colback and Braian Ojeda as the other senior options. A loan deal for Ojeda, as well as Tyrese Fornah, could make sense. The Reds also still have Harry Arter on their books.
Linked players: Joe Rothwell (Blackburn, free agent), Callum Styles (Barnsley), Will Smallbone (Southampton)
Wingers
Forest will look to restart contract talks with star player Brennan Johnson, who has a year left on his deal, while they must also resolve Philip Zinckernagel's future after his return to Watford.
SC : "Out of all the loans he's the one with a bit of a question mark. He can be inconsistent but he played a big part for Forest and he has two promotions in a row now. Watford will look at that. He was key to how Forest played. He should have scored more but he's integral to the Forest press. I would have him back."
Wolves winger/attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is a target with a reported asking price of more than £20m.
GB: "He looks a good player - lively, a threat and someone who would grow with better players around him. He'd feel comfortable in the way Steve Cooper plays."
Other players linked: Tom Lawrence (Derby, free agent)
Strikers
The Reds are set to hold talks with Aston Villa over a permanent move for Keinan Davis after his successful loan spell.
SC: "He's very keen to stay. It's what Villa want for him and what Forest are willing to pay. He'd be a terrific addition. He'd cause Premier League defences problems."
As it stands, Forest only have Sam Surridge and Lyle Taylor as contracted senior strikers with Lewis Grabban coming to the end of his contract.
SC : "It's partly about if Grabban wants to go elsewhere. I think he could still score at Premier League level but his age counts against him. Steve Cooper rates his leadership very highly. He's worked a lot with Keinan Davis. I think leadership has weighed heavily on him until this season. Forest are looking at younger players but he has something to offer."
Forest are understood to be monitoring Chelsea striker Armando Broja, who spent last season on loan at Southampton. Swansea's Joel Piroe has been linked but is not believed to be a target.
GB: "They need a top quality signing. The most important position is striker. They do the hardest job and score goals. You see teams who go down, the top scorers for some clubs are getting less than 10 goals. You'll struggle without goals."
Other players linked: Ben Brereton-Diaz (Blackburn), Habib Diallo (Strasbourg), Milan Djuric (Salernitana), Artem Dovbyk (Dnipro), Noah Okafor (RB Salzburg)
