Yahoo News Nottingham Forest could have solution to problem position as key question asked of forgotten man
The transfer window is now open and that means an important summer for Nottingham Forest has officially begun.
It could well be a busier than usual start. The date of June 30 will be front of mind at the City Ground as the next Profitability and Sustainability Rules assessment deadline.
Some sales are expected before then as the Reds look to balance the books in order to avoid another breach. Indeed, trimming numbers will be a key aspect of this window as head coach Nuno Espirito Santo likes to work with a small squad.
READ MORE: Forest suggested as transfer solution for £15m defender as option details emerge
READ MORE: Join our Reds WhatsApp group to get the latest news direct to your phone
However, there will also be incomings. Forest want to strengthen in a bid to push on in the Premier League next term.
A number of players have already been linked with moves to and exits from the City Ground. Below, NottinghamshireLive looks at some of the Forest transfer news and gossip doing the rounds.
Keeper calls
The Reds’ interest in Corinthians goalkeeper Carlos Miguel has been the big talking point over the past week or so. That is one transfer tale with its fair share of twists and turns already.
But Forest’s reshuffle of their options between the posts might not end with the Brazilian. The Telegraph report two keepers are likely to be brought in this summer, with the club weighing up renewing interest in Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone.
The 31-year-old was on the Reds’ radar in January before they signed Matz Sels to take over the No.1 spot. And with the potential for both Odysseas Vlachodimos and Matt Turner to depart, Forest could turn their attention to the England international again.
NottinghamshireLive’s Sarah Clapson says: The Reds spent money in the last two transfer windows in a bid to find a long-term solution for that area of the pitch. Sels arrived in the January window and played a key role in getting Nuno’s side over the line, but before that Turner and Vlachodimos had not convinced.
It means a position Forest hoped would have been sorted is now almost back in a state of flux and another reshuffle is on the cards. Vlachodimos is seemingly unhappy at his lack of game time and wants out, while Turner reportedly has interest from the MLS.
Johnstone is a capable and experienced keeper. He had injury problems last term and missed the run-in, with ex-Reds loanee Dean Henderson replacing him in the XI.
Whatever happens, there is a fair bit of sorting out to do in this department. In an ideal scenario, Forest would end the summer with this particular position being put to bed and a strong goalkeeping department in place - at least for a few years.
Omar off?
Will Omar Richards ever make an appearance in the Garibaldi? It seems perhaps not.
The left-back has had a hellish two years of injury problems since he put pen to paper Trentside in 2022. He finally made his return to competitive football during his loan at Olympiacos last season.
And the Greek outfit are said to want him back. According to The Athletic, Forest’s fellow Evangelos Marinakis-owned side are keen to re-sign the defender. There is a question mark over whether that would be as another loan or as a permanent deal.
It took Richards time to regain his fitness after he joined Olympiacos last August, but he went on to make 10 league appearances for the club. He could now find himself as part of the clearout as the Reds look to move some players on.
NottinghamshireLive’s Sarah Clapson says: There was a great deal of excitement when Richards joined Forest as part of the recruitment drive following promotion. On a £10 million deal from Bayern Munich, he had the potential to be an excellent bit of business.
An injury nightmare got in the way of that, though. A hairline fracture of the leg, muscle injuries and a hernia all conspired to keep the defender on the sidelines.
He was able to join in pre-season training to some degree last summer but did not feature in any of the Reds’ friendlies. A change of scene was viewed as being the best option, and it does appear to have done the former Reading man good.
It was always going to take Richards time to build up his fitness, though. His first run-out in Greece was not until December, and by all accounts he had a few further niggles to contend with.
Is he ready for the rigours of the Premier League? That is the key question when deciding whether he could have a part to play for Nuno.
With that in mind, a return to Olympiacos - in whatever capacity - could be a sensible move. If it does mark the end of his Forest career, it would be a shame for him to have never got the opportunity to show what he could do. A case of what might have been, perhaps.
