Nottingham Forest’s summer rebuild is finally starting to catch fire.
Oliver Glasner had been forced to wait for major reinforcements after replacing Vitor Pereira, despite the club banking a staggering £116 million from Elliot Anderson’s move to Man City.
That sale gave Forest plenty of spending power, but it also removed the heartbeat of their midfield.
Xaver Schlager was the first answer. The Austria international joined on a free transfer after leaving RB Leipzig and was handed a two-year contract.
Crucially, he knows exactly what Glasner demands after playing for him at Wolfsburg.
Forest then invested for the future by signing Gustavo Sa from Famalicao for a reported £17.1million. The Portuguese attacking midfielder was immediately sent to Olympiacos on loan, so he will not help Glasner this season.
That balance is important after a strange campaign in which Forest reached the Europa League semi-finals but only just survived in the Premier League. Glasner has inherited quality, yet his squad still needs depth and players suited to his high-energy shape.
Several others have headed through the exit door. Jota Silva also joined Olympiacos on loan, while David Carmo moved permanently to the Greek champions.
Goalkeepers Stefan Ortega and Angus Gunn departed, and Willy Boly was released when his contract expired.
|
Direction |
Player |
Club |
Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
|
In |
Xaver Schlager |
RB Leipzig |
Free transfer, two-year contract |
|
In |
Gustavo Sá |
Famalicão |
Reported £17.1m |
|
In |
Ousmane Diomande |
Sporting |
Reported £34.3m, four years plus one-year option |
|
In |
Blaine McClure |
Rangers B |
Undisclosed |
|
Out |
Elliot Anderson |
Manchester City |
£116m |
|
Out |
David Carmo |
Olympiacos |
Permanent, undisclosed |
|
Out |
Jota Silva |
Olympiacos |
Loan |
|
Out |
Gustavo Sá |
Olympiacos |
Loan following his Forest move |
|
Out |
Stefan Ortega |
Olympiacos |
Free transfer |
|
Out |
Angus Gunn |
San Jose Earthquakes |
Free transfer |
|
Out |
Willy Boly |
Unattached |
Released |
|
Out |
Joe Gardner |
Falkirk |
Undisclosed |
|
Out |
Justin Hanks |
Solihull Moors |
Free transfer |
|
Out |
Esapa Osong |
Unattached |
Released |
The biggest arrival came on Tuesday.
Forest confirmed the signing of Ousmane Diomande from Sporting in a deal worth around £34.3million. The Ivory Coast centre-back has signed for four years, with Forest holding an option for a fifth.
Diomande is only 22, but he already has title-winning experience in Portugal and should give Glasner another powerful option alongside Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic.
Now attention is turning to the right flank.
Forest missed out on Anan Khalaili, who joined Crystal Palace from Union Saint-Gilloise, but their search for a right-back has not stopped.
Glasner wants Forest to sign ‘perfect’ Daniel Muñoz from Crystal Palace
According to TEAMtalk transfer correspondent Graeme Bailey, Glasner now wants to raid his former club for Daniel Muñoz.
The Colombia international was a huge success under Glasner at Palace, thriving in an aggressive wing-back role and becoming a favourite at Selhurst Park.
Bailey reports that Palace are willing to listen to offers worth around £25 million following Khalaili’s arrival. Forest are interested, but they are not alone, with Everton also said to be seriously considering a move.
Munoz is tied down until 2028, while Palace also hold an option to extend his deal by another year. They have no need to accept a cut-price offer.
Yet the attraction for Forest is obvious, and Glasner is personally keen on a reunion with Munoz, who he believes could fit his system at the City Ground ‘perfectly’.
Munoz already understands Glasner’s methods, knows the Premier League and would arrive ready to play. There would be none of the usual uncertainty over whether he could handle the manager’s demands.
After completing the Diomande deal, Forest have shown they are ready to spend on players Glasner believes can transform his side.
