It doesn’t seem long since Nottingham Forest’s busy summer deadline day, but the January transfer window is already fast approaching.
It is unlikely the Reds will need to do too much work when the window reopens. They brought in 13 new faces in the summer, with the majority of them having started to make an impact in the Premier League
But with the club eager to progress this season, January could still prove to be an important month. There is still a fair way to go, and much can change, but we take a look at what might be on Forest’s transfer agenda.
The Reds bolstered their attacking threat in the summer, bringing in forward Divock Origi on loan from AC Milan. They also added Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
However, losing Taiwo Awoniyi for a month due to injury is a huge blow. And that suggests up front could be an area for Forest to look at again in January.
They have been struggling to find the back of the net of late, with some lovely build-up play not translating into goals. Steve Cooper’s side have not scored more than once in a game since their 3-2 defeat at Manchester United in August, while they have a tally of three goals from their last five league matches.
It is something the Reds need to work on, for sure. But in part, it can be put down to the fact they are still gelling as a team and players are still getting up to speed. There is certainly a sense that when they fully click, Forest have the potential to dish out a proper thumping to someone.
The international break means Awoniyi might not actually miss too many games. Even so, given the Nigerian was also sidelined for a chunk of last season, come January the Reds might want to assess how much cover they have.
Chris Wood and Origi are different types of strikers. Whether they can fill the void while their teammate is out of action remains to be seen – and the outcome may have an impact on the club’s winter window plans.
Overseeing outgoings was as much a priority as making key signings for Forest in the summer. They needed to trim numbers.
The club did a good job of doing just that, with several fringe players heading elsewhere either on loan or on a permanent basis. Even after their 25-man Premier League squad was named, moves were found for the majority of those who didn’t make the cut.
Ethan Horvath was one of the exceptions. It was expected Luton Town would take up an option to sign him on a permanent basis after his successful loan spell last season, but the Hatters changed their minds. And although the Reds were willing to let the American go, having brought in Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos, an alternative move did not materialise.
“I guess the ideal situation for him would be to be playing football somewhere, whether it’s us or somewhere else, like he did last year,” Cooper has said. “Unfortunately, that is not the case at the moment.
“The international break will be really good for him, because he has got something to look forward to. He played in the last one and has been called up again for this one, so he’s involved in that. It is something that we will have to address in January.”
Horvath is out of contract next summer, so January is Forest’s final chance to try to get a bit of money for him. He is one of several players in that situation – a group which includes the likes of Scott McKenna, Willy Boly, Serge Aurier, Felipe and Wood – meaning decisions will need to be made at some point over whether to offer fresh terms.
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