Striker signs, Nuno wish granted, exits overseen – Nottingham Forest’s dream end to transfer window

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo made clear right at the start of the summer the benefits for Nottingham Forest of getting transfer business sorted early.

Having already done plenty of groundwork, the Reds now find themselves in a good place as the end of the window approaches. They have until 11pm on August 30 to put the finishing touches to Nuno’s squad.

Bringing in the final pieces of the jigsaw, keeping hold of key players and overseeing exits for those not part of the manager’s plans will be the tasks in the coming days. Tick those off the to-do list and the club will no doubt be pretty satisfied with their summer’s work.

Seven signings have been made so far. Goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, defenders Eric da Silva Moreira and Nikola Milenkovic, midfielder Elliot Anderson and wingers Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa will be part of Nuno’s ranks this term, while midfielder Marko Stamenic will spend the campaign on loan at fellow Evangelos Marinakis-owned club Olympiacos.

Forest still have a few gaps to fill, however. Strengthening at the top end of the pitch is a priority before the deadline.

More firepower was always going to be required for this season. Forest have bolstered their options out wide and with the versatile Anderson, but bringing in another striker is on the agenda.

Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez and Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah are among the potential candidates to provide competition and cover for Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi, with The Telegraph reporting at least three forward options are being considered. Front men do not come cheap, however, and reports suggest the Reds may have to up their offers to clinch either Gimenez or Nketiah, having seen initial bids rejected. In the case of the former, it has been claimed he might also need persuading to leave the Dutch side.

An ideal scenario would see any deal struck relatively quickly. It is an important position and Forest will want to avoid going into the madness of deadline day without having it sorted, if at all possible