With a new manager in place and the transfer window open, Nottingham Forest will undoubtedly be seeking to make some purchases in January.
As we begin the customary absurd season of transfer rumors, there is a lot to consider. They are spreading quickly and thick. Before the deadline, we check over all the most recent news and links here. Forest has until today—three weeks—to complete their January transfer paperwork.
On Thursday, February 1, the winter window will close. While leagues throughout Europe have different deadlines, Premier League clubs have until 11 p.m. that day to complete agreements.
The Reds have had a rather quiet start to the month. We examine the tasks that remain to be completed prior to the deadline below. This is Sarah Clapson’s analysis of the actions that the club should take.
Reports of a Mangala offer
According to a source, Galatasaray has “submitted a concrete offer” for Orel Mangala, a midfielder for Nottingham Forest.
The 25-year-old may depart the City Ground during the current transfer window as Juventus and Napoli, two Italian teams, are reportedly “also pushing for him” this month.
Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany said as much in a post on X, which was formerly Twitter: “Excl. News #Mangala: @GalatasaraySK have presented a meaningful offer to @NFFC! As disclosed: Napoli and Juventus are also vying for his services! “Poker has begun.
Adams transfer claim
Forest remain interested in Southampton’s Che Adams during the January transfer window, it is claimed.
Reports last summer claimed that Forest were interested in Adams after the Saints’ relegation from the Premier League. It was claimed that he “could cost up to £15million” with Everton also said to be interested at the time.
The striker has netted seven goals in all competitions so far this season with his current contract at Saints expirring in the summer. He also scored five times and chipped in with three assists in the top flight during the previous campaign.
‘Agreement’ in the forest revealed
Due to a “agreement” between the two teams, Jonathan Panzo, a Forest loanee, was not included in Cardiff City’s FA Cup match against Sheffield Wednesday.
Panzo has had difficulty getting into games this season despite joining Cardiff in the summer on a season-long loan. The 23-year-old defender has not started a league game for the team and has only appeared in four Championship fixtures. His lone 90-minute game was in September’s Carabao Cup match, which Cardiff lost 5-2 to Blackburn. Panzo entered the game late in the team’s 2-1 victory over QPR on New Year’s Day.
Renan Lodi eyed
Defender Renan Lodi has been linked with a return to English football, just a few months after Nottingham Forest failed to sign him.
The left-back impressed for the Reds on loan from Atletico Madrid last season. Once he had found his feet in the Premier League, he was a regular starter and played a key part as survival was secured.
Forest were keen to sign him on a permanent basis last summer. However, it was always likely to be a challenge as the Brazilian had plenty of admirers.
“Serious” enthusiasm
Iván Alejo, a winger for Cadiz, is reportedly “very serious” about joining Nottingham Forest.
When the Reds were getting ready for their first Premier League season in 23 years in 2022, rumors of Forest’s interest in the 28-year-old first surfaced. Although a relocation to the City Ground was never completed, it was reported at the time that Cadiz sought at least 5 million euros, or around £4.2 million.
However, rumors on the Spanish website El Mira state that Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo is reportedly considering a “special interest” in signing him, which has rekindled the Reds’ interest.
Forest is “closely following” Alejo’s circumstances, the article continues. His departure “would be a serious problem” for the La Liga team, according to them as well.
Alejo has two assists to his name so far this season for a struggling Cadiz team who currently sit 18th in the Spanish top flight after 19 games.
The winger, who can also play in midfield, was at Atletico Madrid as a youngster, going on to join Villarreal’s reserve side, followed by moves to Alcorcon, Eibar and Getafe. He had loan spells at Malaga and Cadiz, making a permanent switch to the latter three years ago.
Cyril Ngonge latest
Forest have been one of several clubs linked with Hellas Verona winger Cyril Ngonge.
The Reds have enjoyed a good start to life under head coach Nuno Espirito Santo after impressive wins over Newcastle and Manchester United. Nuno remains coy over any possible incomings during the January transfer window with one report claiming that Ngonge is a player Forest are interested in.
So, who is Ngonge and what is the state of play?
Rangers close to deal
Forest target Michy Batshuayi could be on his way to Rangers.
The striker has been on the Reds’ radar for some time. They came close to signing him after sealing promotion to the Premier League, then had their eye on him again last summer.
Reports from Turkey suggested they retained an interest in him ahead of this month’s transfer window. But it seems Rangers are now in pole position to land the Fenerbahce forward.
‘Stunning’ transfer blow
Reported Forest transfer target Roberto Firmino is pricing Premier League clubs out of signing him, according to a report.
It was claimed this week that Forest are “interested” in the former Liverpool striker with the January transfer window now in full flow. Premier League rivals Fulham and Sheffield United are also among those also keen on signing the 32-year-old.
According to The Sun, Firmino is commanding a “stunning package” worth £300,000 per week. They also note that “no English clubs are willing to pay” such a hefty wage.
Transfer plans
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo says “no final decisions” have been made over Forest’s potential transfer business this month.
Trimming numbers is a priority for the Reds during the January window, with Nuno keen to work with a smaller squad. Gustavo Scarpa and Andrey Santos have already departed, and others will follow before the February 1 deadline. However, Nuno insists the final calls on players’ futures are yet to be taken.
Likewise, when it comes to signings the Portuguese boss has stressed the importance of making sure any new additions are the right ones. Forest’s financial situation will have an impact on their plans, and Nuno wants the focus to be on players who can make a difference.
Djed Spence plan
Former Forest favourite Djed Spence’s return to Tottenham is expected to be a brief one with the right back set to go out on loan again.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano who says Spurs are planning to find a new club for the 23-year-old who spent the first half of the season with Leeds United.
The reporter says Leeds activated the recall clause, with Daniel Farke having given Spence only five Championship starts for the Elland Road outfit in a spell that saw him lose several weeks to an injury.
That’s been the pattern of things for Spence in recent seasons, he managed only 16 last term – his first at Tottenham which ended with him on loan to Ligue 1 outfit Rennes.
Not since the 2021/22 campaign has Londoner been a first team regular – which came at Forest when he was part of Steve Cooper ’s side which sensationally won promotion to the Premier League.
Reds fans were keen to see him return on a permanent basis but Tottenham paid Middlesbrough a reported £20million for his services. Spence started out at Fulham before Middlesbrough took him to the Riverside in 2018.
The prospect of a return to Forest feels remote, though. Nuno Espirito Santo has Serge Aurier, Neco Williams and Gonzalo Montiel as options at right back – and Harry Toffolo, Ola Aina and – for now – Nuno Tavares on the left
Lingard claims
Former Forest forward Jesse Lingard has offered himself to Barcelona, it is claimed.
The ex-Manchester United and West Ham forward arrived at the City Ground in July 2022 on a free transfer. But Lingard struggled badly during his one and only season in Garibaldi Red as he scored just twice for Forest with both goals coming in the Carabao Cup before being released in the summer.
It has been previously claimed that Lingard was offered a contract at Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq who are coached by Steven Gerrard. However, a move never materialised and he remains without a club.
Scott free to leave?
Trabzonspor are the latest club said to be interested in Forest defender Scott McKenna.
Recent reports have claimed that Rangers are interested in the Scottish centre-back whilst transfer speculation linking him with a move to Old Firm rivals Celtic has been quashed. McKenna has fallen out of favour at the City Ground and is extremely likely to depart Trentside during the current January transfer window.
The 27-year-old joined Forest in 2020 and has made more than 100 appearances for the club. However, he has not featured for the Reds since September’s 1-1 home draw against Burnley.
Full story here
B team signing
Forest have announced the signing of young defender Jamie Newton.
The 18-year-old has made the move from Scottish side Rangers. He will initially link up with the Reds’ B team.
Forest said: “We are pleased to confirm the signing of 18-year-old left-back Jamie Newton from Rangers to play in our B Team. We would like to thank Rangers for their cooperation.”
Rangers swoop could be on cards
Rangers are interested in Forest striker Emmanuel Dennis, it is claimed.
The 25-year-old is currently on loan at Turkish side İstanbul Başakşehir but has been out injured recently. He arrived at the City Ground for a reported fee in the region of £15million in 2022 from Watford.
Dennis scored just two Premier League goals in 19 appearances during his debut season at the Reds. Both of his goals for Forest came at home in matches against Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
And now according to Dutch site Nieuwsblad, Scottish giants Rangers are interested in bringing him to Ibrox. Current manager Philippe Clement previously worked with Dennis in Belgium at Club Brugge.
It is claimed that Dennis’ limited game time in Turkey means that he “seems to be moving to Scotland” during the January transfer window. It is not clear as to whether this would be another loan or a permanent move.
The Glasgow club are currently second in the Scottish Premiership, six points behind leaders Celtic although they do have two games in hand over Brendan Rodgers’ side.
What Nuno has said
Trimming numbers is a priority for the Reds during the January window, with Nuno keen to work with a smaller squad. Gustavo Scarpa and Andrey Santos have already departed, and others will follow before the February 1 deadline. However, Nuno insists the final calls on players’ futures are yet to be taken.
Likewise, when it comes to signings the Portuguese boss has stressed the importance of making sure any new additions are the right ones. Forest’s financial situation will have an impact on their plans, and Nuno wants the focus to be on players who can make a difference.
“There are no final decisions,” he said of possible exits. “We have been doing a lot of work since we arrived. It is true that we want to reduce the number of players in the squad, but at the same time we want to improve the quality of the squad.
“Any player to come has to improve us and give us something different that we don’t have. That is our job.
“There are no final decisions in football because anything can happen. The work we are doing is trying to find what is available, but the important thing is the players who are here. We are the ones who have to move forward, improve and compete.
“If someone comes, it is to help and to improve the quality. And it is not easy to improve the quality; it has to be the real one.”
The Reds have been in the spotlight this week amid suggestions they could be at risk of breaching the Premier League ’s Profitability and Sustainability rules. Nuno says he is not concerned about any “outside noise”, with his full attention on Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Blackpool.
“It is outside noise and something I cannot control. They are things I am not even focused on,” he said.
“My focus is clear, it is on the players, improving the players and trying to have a strong, competitive team. That is the only thing I worry about. The outside is for the people outside.”
The players with an uncertain future
Forest have started the January window as they mean to go on by overseeing some departures.
Trimming numbers was always going to be a priority for the Reds this month, even before recently-appointed head coach Nuno Espirito Santo made clear his wish to work with a smaller squad. Gustavo Scarpa has already been moved on, joining Atletico Mineiro after his Olympiacos loan was cancelled, while Andrey Santos has returned to parent club Chelsea.
Further exits will follow, with Nuno having referred to “hard decisions” needing to be made. He wanted to assess the group first, giving players a chance to impress after insisting everyone started with a clean slate.
Having six players absent for the Africa Cup of Nations will impact Forest’s transfer business. The club will want to make sure they are not left short of options.
They will also be aware a number of players are due to see their contracts expire at the end of the season. If fresh terms are not put forward, this month represents a final chance to cash-in rather than seeing those concerned walk away for nothing in the summer.
Some big calls will need to be made before the 11pm deadline on Thursday, February 1. Below, we take a look at some of those players with uncertain futures at the City Ground.
Read the full story here
FFP situation
Nottingham Forest have a big few days ahead as they wait to find out whether they will be charged with breaching the Premier League ’s Profitability and Sustainability rules.
It has been a quiet start to the January transfer window for the Reds amid their finances having been in the spotlight of late. And they should find out in the coming days whether they are deemed to have broken spending regulations.
A recent report by The Times suggested Forest are among the clubs at risk of falling foul of Financial Fair Play rules. Below, we take a look at what we know so far.
