This summer, Nottingham Forest has prioritized cutting players in order to comply with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s desire to operate with a smaller roster.
By returning five loanees to their parent clubs and releasing six players at the end of their contracts, the Reds set the tone right away. At the end of June, loan players Gonzalo Montiel, Divock Origi, Nuno Tavares, Gio Reyna, and Rodrigo Ribeiro officially left, along with Wayne Hennessey, Felipe, Cheikhou Kouyate, Loic Mbe Soh, Scott McKenna, and Harry Arter.
Odysseas Vlachodimos, Brandon Aguilera, Orel Mangala, and Moussa Niakhate have all left the window on permanent moves thus far. Earlier in the summer, Marko Stamenic, a summer signing, and Jonathan Panzo went out on loan.
Though there is still work to be done, we have examined the players whose futures at the City Ground are in doubt.
Joe Worrall: Nuno stated following the Reds’ first-ever friendly against Chesterfield that choices will be made about players who had returned from loan stints. The Portuguese remarked, “We have to look at all of the factors and decide what is best for them and their careers.”
Worrall fits that description, having been loaned to Besiktas for the second half of the previous season. This summer, he is anticipated to move on, which would be the end of an era for the Nigel Doughty Academy alumnus. Sheffield United is still motivated, but anything might happen at the end of the window.
Matt Turner: The arrival of Brazilian Carlos Miguel has pushed the American further down the pecking order. He now finds himself as third-choice goalkeeper, with Miguel and Matz Sels to battle it out for the No 1 spot.
The lure of game time played a part in Turner’s switch to the City Ground 12 months ago, so will he be happy to see even less of it this time around? He is said to have MLS interest.
Josh Bowler: The winger’s lack of celebration when he scored against Chesterfield seemed to suggest he expects to head elsewhere in the coming weeks. Even more of an indication his future lies away from Trentside came when Nuno did not mention Bowler in his list of winger options.
The former Blackpool man has already had a succession of loan spells since signing for the Reds in the summer of 2022. It would surely suit all parties if a permanent switch can be sorted this summer.
Emmanuel Dennis: Some have questioned whether the attacker should be part of Nuno’s plans for the coming season. Forest need more options at the top end of the pitch, so could Dennis do a job?
He has not been short of effort during his pre-season run-outs. However, he can still be a frustrating player to watch. Nuno’s aforementioned comments about making calls over those who have returned from loan spells apply to Dennis, too, as he was at Basaksehir and then Watford last term.
Hwang Ui-jo: The forward seems likely to join the ranks of players to leave without making a first-team appearance in the Garibaldi. Since signing two years ago, he has had a number of loan spells. If Forest can oversee a permanent departure this time, they will surely take it.
