Nottingham Forest transfer ‘rejection’ can spur key man on as warning sent over big-player signing

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo seems to have used time on the training ground with his players well and there is a strong sense of team spirit within the group. The Reds’ summer signings also appear to have settled in quickly.

Carlos Miguel, Elliot Anderson, Eric da Silva Moreira and Nikola Milenkovic all bring something to the table.

However, there is still work to be done to put the finishing touches to Nuno’s squad. Below, we take a look at some of the latest transfer rumours doing the rounds.

Williams wanted

There has been lots of talk around the futures of Murillo, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga this summer. But another Reds player also seems to be a wanted man.

West Ham United reportedly had a bid rejected for defender Neco Williams earlier this summer. Forest dismissed the Hammers’ offer as they have “no intention” of letting the right-back go.

However, it could be that the club’s resolve is tested again before next month’s deadline. AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be eyeing up Williams.

It probably isn’t too much of a surprise that Williams has emerged on a few radars. He has come on leaps and bounds in his two years Trentside and was excellent towards the end of last term before injury stopped him in his tracks.

At 23, he is still young and has got room for even more development. And in that sense, he should be one of the players at the heart of Forest’s bid to kick on in the Premier League.

Eric da Silva Moreira looks like he has the potential to provide tough competition for the right-back spot, but that could serve to push Williams on further. Packing the dressing room with exciting young talent has been a key theme of the club’s transfer window, and both players are part of that.

No mention has been made of the fee West Ham put forward or how serious some of the other links are. Of course, every player has a price but turning down the Hammers is a good decision by the Reds. The club might have to fend off interest in Williams – and potentially some of their other key men – before the window closes, but if they can hang on to them the signs point to Nuno having a strong group in place.

Striker offered

Former Real Madrid man James Rodriguez is on the lookout for a new home. And reports suggest Forest have been offered the chance to sign him.

The 33-year-old is a free agent after leaving Sao Paulo and is said to be keen on a return to Europe. With that in mind, super agent Jorge Mendes has seemingly been busy on his client’s behalf.

Nevertheless, the Reds have been known to spring a few surprises in windows. Pursuing this particular link would certainly class as one.

A central theme of this summer has been Forest looking to bring in young players with the potential to increase in value. Rodriguez would not fall into that category.

Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis knows the player well from his time at Olympiacos, so it is an easy link to make. Additionally, there is the Mendes factor given Nuno is also a client.

Scouring the free transfer market can often prove fruitful but you can bet Rodriguez’s wages would be substantial. There is no doubt about his quality, as he showed for Colombia in the Copa America, and he does have Premier League experience from his time at Everton. However, this is one big-name signing Forest would be best to steer clear of.