Nottingham Forest have an important summer transfer window ahead of them now the season has finished. Here’s everything you need to know about their plans.
The core strategy: Fight to keep stars together
Forest intend to fight to keep most of their star players together ahead of the upcoming season. Head coach Vitor Pereira believes the current squad possesses a strong baseline of talent and character to build upon.
No fire sale. No panic. Just a determination to hold onto what they’ve built.
High demand for a big star
Midfielder Elliot Anderson is attracting intense interest from elite clubs. Manchester City are heavily favoured to sign him. Manchester United are also monitoring the England international.
The fee? Exceeding £100 million.
That’s the kind of money that changes conversations. But Forest don’t want to sell.
‘Anything can happen’
While the club want to retain Anderson, Pereira realistically admits that anything can happen once the transfer window opens.
He noted that the fluid nature of the transfer market makes it impossible to guarantee the player’s future at the City Ground.
That’s not a come and get me plea. That’s just honesty.
Statement of intent
Pereira is hopeful Forest have started as they mean to go on by getting star defender Murillo tied to a new deal. The Brazilian penned a contract until 2030 prior to Sunday’s final game.
The Reds boss described it as sending out a “message”.
And what a message it is. One of their most valuable assets? Locked down.
Key transfer plan: Early business
Getting transfer business done early is important for Pereira. Leaving deals until the last minute can result in starting the season on the back foot.
The Portuguese is keen to use pre season to spend valuable time implementing his ideas and further developing the strong bond between his players.
No last minute scrambling. No disrupted preparations. That’s the plan.
Long-term management stability
Following a highly successful turnaround that secured Premier League safety and a deep Europa League run, the hierarchy wants to reward Pereira.
Both parties are actively collaborating on future squad plans as discussions continue regarding a new contract for the head coach.
The bottom line
Anderson could go for £100m+. Murillo is already tied down until 2030. Pereira wants early business and a new deal of his own.
Forest are planning for stability. But the transfer market has other ideas.
Hold onto Anderson, and they’ve made a statement. Lose him, and they’ve got a huge hole to fill and a huge fee to spend.
The message from Pereira is clear: they want to keep their best players. Whether they can? That’s the summer’s biggest question.
