Managing Nottingham Forest: £60m sale, attacker signs and numbers trimmed as Nuno shapes squad

Progress will be the aim for Nottingham Forest next season, and that leaves plenty riding on how the next few months pan out.

This summer represents head coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s first real opportunity to shape his squad. Work has already begun on that front, with the publication of the Reds’ retained list.

Wayne Hennessey, Felipe, Cheikhou Kouyate, Scott McKenna, Loic Mbe Soh and Harry Arter will all depart at the end of their contracts. Meanwhile, loanees Gio Reyna, Divock Origi, Rodrigo Ribeiro, Nuno Tavares and Gonzalo Montiel are to return to their parent clubs.

Further outgoings will be on the horizon, but there will also be incomings. It may well be another busy summer at the City Ground. With that in mind, Forest should complete once the transfer window opens on June 14.

Potential exits

The Reds will be mindful of their financial situation when it comes to doing any transfer business. They paid the price for falling foul of the regulations with a four-point deduction in the season just gone.

The next Profitability and Sustainability Rules assessment period will cover the three years up to June 30, effectively creating a mini transfer window. Clubs, including Forest, who need to balance the books before then may have to consider overseeing some early sales.

There is no need for a fire sale, but the Reds do need to sanction some exits to avoid the possibility of another PSR breach. Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo are the two standout candidates for the potential to raise significant funds, although losing either player would be a blow as there is no doubt about their talent.

Both players are not short of admirers, and careful consideration would need to be given if that interest translates into firm bids. The club value the duo highly, so it would likely take upwards of £60 million to prise one of them away.

When it comes to other possible departures, Nuno made clear in January that he wished to work with a small group. Nothing will have changed on that front.

Big decisions will need to be made about a number of players, including some the Portuguese is yet to work with. The likes of Jonathan Panzo, Josh Bowler, Lewis O’Brien, Hwang Ui-jo, Omar Richards, Emmanuel Dennis and Alex Mighten have been out on loan and face uncertain futures Trentside; likewise academy graduate Joe Worrall. Nuno might want to run the rule over some, but others will be in line to move on as Forest aim to trim numbers.

Speaking before the end of the season, Nuno admitted it had been difficult to do much by way of forward planning for the summer. He conceded Forest had plenty of other “distractions” to deal with as they fought for survival, while not knowing which division they would be in made it tricky to look too far ahead.