Nottingham Forest best and worst case scenarios for key weeks of transfer window

Nottingham Forest’s approach to the first half of the transfer window has been careful and considered.

Some promising business has been overseen, building on the core group Forest already had in place. Good, sensible signings have been made and departures overseen have been well thought through.

Last month’s accounting cut-off for compliance with Profitability and Sustainability Rules created a mini transfer window of sorts for Premier League clubs. But August is generally when things really start moving – particularly the closer it gets to deadline day on the 30th.

With a new month around the corner, the Reds still have some final bits of the jigsaw to put into place. Below, we take a look at the best and worst case scenarios for the remainder of the window.

Best case scenario

The first half of the window has set Forest up nicely for the rest of the summer. Five signings have been made so far. Carlos Miguel, Elliot Anderson, Eric da Silva Moreira and Nikola Milenkovic have immediately been integrated into Nuno’s squad, while Marko Stamenic will spend the season on loan at Olympiacos.

Nuno wanted players in early to give them plenty of time to bed in. If the Reds can wrap up their remaining deals well ahead of their opening game against Bournemouth on August 17, that would be ideal.

The goal is to end the window with strength in depth in all areas and with a balanced squad in place. A small group to manage is Nuno’s preference.

Bringing in a winger is a top priority; the head coach has made that much pretty clear. Ticking off a striker and another centre-back would leave Forest well placed. There is no great need to go crazy in the final weeks of the window, with just a few key additions still required.

Of course, the picture may change depending on outgoings. What happens with Matt Turner, for example, might affect whether another goalkeeper is on the shopping list.

And on the subject of outgoings, best case scenario is that the Reds keep their prized assets – the likes of Murillo, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga. But also that they oversee moves, permanent or loans, for players not part of Nuno’s plans.

Worst case scenario

If we’re talking extremes, no more signings and losing any of their star men would definitely fall into the worst case category for Forest. Fortunately, that seems unlikely.

Having come through the PSR deadline, the club are well placed to deal with any offers – should they materialise – for any of their big names on their own terms. Moreover, those mentioned above appear to be happy on the banks of the Trent.

However, it would be no surprise if the Reds’ resolve is tested at some point. A considerable deadline day bid for Murillo, for example, would leave a big decision to be made – and made quickly. It would really put the cat among the pigeons – even if the centre-back has indicated his intention to stay put.

By the same token, it is to be hoped any last-minute panic buying is avoided. Forest have had busy deadline days before and done well out of them, but leaving it late can also go the other way. As mentioned above, Nuno would also love to have the bulk of his group at his disposal right from the start of the season.

The Portuguese will want the second half of the window to be just as positive as the first. If he does not get his wish for a winger, he would be left a little short on that front

What the Reds will also want to steer clear of is being left with a bloated squad. Having finally got Harry Arter off the books this summer, they won’t want to have players stuck simply kicking their heels. The likes of Joe Worrall, Josh Bowler, Hwang Ui-jo and Emmanuel Dennis could all do with getting their futures sorted.