Latest Nottingham Forest news as Steve Cooper’s Reds prepare for key summer transfer window
Nottingham Forest-linked Conor Coady expects a decision on his Wolverhampton Wanderers future “soon” as clubs prepare for the opening of the summer transfer window.
The Reds are said to be keeping tabs on the defender as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign. Sheffield United, where Coady spent time on loan earlier in his career, have also been credited with an interest.
The 30-year-old spent the season just gone on loan at Everton, but they have decided not to take up the £4.5 million option to buy clause included in the deal. He is under contract at Molineux and has made clear his switch to Goodison Park wasn’t a snub to Wolves, having not been first-choice under former manager Bruno Lage.
However, his future at his parent side is uncertain amid the Reds and the Blades reportedly eyeing him up. And he says he is continuing to speak to Wanderers about what happens next.
Speaking on the BBC’s Monday Night Club, he was asked about his situation now and whether he felt in limbo. He said: “It is mad, it is strange. I have never had this feeling before. I am not in limbo in terms of… I am speaking to Wolves and have spoken to Wolves all season.
“There were a lot of things that went around when I left Wolves at the start of the season. A few people gave me a bit of stick for leaving and I heard this kind of stuff going on. I have spoken to Wolves all season. I love the place, I love the place to bits.
“In my eyes, before the last pre-season, I would never have left Wolves ever in my life. It was somewhere I hold really close to my heart. I love the place a lot but we kind of got to a situation last summer where the World Cup was coming up and I had been in the England squad for three or four years.
“The manager at the time (Lage) made the decision that I wasn’t the centre-half for him. He said to me that I wasn’t going to be that and he made the decision to say, ‘listen, you can go’.
“I think he understood how important… I’ll never get the chance to go to a World Cup again, I really don’t believe so. I think it was so important to get the chance to do that, and the season had started.
“I have spoken to Wolves all season. I am in a little bit of limbo but I am speaking to Wolves at the moment to see what they want because, listen, the club is the most important thing. I am sure we will come to a decision soon.”
Henderson, striker, exits – Nottingham Forest transfer priorities ahead of summer window opening
Latest Nottingham Forest news as Steve Cooper’s Reds prepare for key summer transfer window
The summer transfer window officially opens a week today, and Nottingham Forest will be aiming to emerge the other side of it with a strong squad in place.
Clubs have from Wednesday, June 14 until 11pm on Friday, September 1 to get deals done. For the Reds, it is about seizing the opportunity given to them by securing Premier League survival.
That means changes to the dressing room, with incomings and outgoings expected. As the countdown to the window opening begins, we take a look at Forest’s priorities this summer.
Get a goalkeeper
Get Dean Henderson in! The Reds are keen to sign him after a successful loan spell, the player wants to make the move to the City Ground and it seems Manchester United are willing to let him go.
Finances and any other interest would be the potential stumbling blocks, but in theory this should be a fairly easy(ish) one to get done. Albeit these things are rarely as simple as that.
Getting the goalkeeping situation sorted early on in the window would be a big plus, given it is such a key position. Forest also need to weigh up what happens with Ethan Horvath, who has been on loan at Luton Town. The Hatters have previously indicated they have an option to buy, and it is unlikely the American would want to return Trentside just to sit on the bench.
Other areas to strengthen
Head coach Steve Cooper doesn’t need too many additions to his squad this summer. The nucleus of a good group is already in place, just a few key signings are needed.
Renan Lodi would be one, if a deal can be done. The Atletico Madrid left-back impressed on loan, but getting him back would have to be for the right price and his family situation might also be a consideration.
Tied to that is the fitness of Omar Richards. Will he be in contention for the upcoming season, having been sidelined since last summer? If so and if Lodi returns (or an alternative target is signed), that would have an impact on Harry Toffolo as it would make little sense having three left-backs in the squad.
Adding some more firepower is also a must. Taiwo Awoniyi was a big miss when he was out injured, so another striker is required. Potentially an attacking midfielder or someone to provide threat from out wide, too.
Midfield is another area to target, given Jack Colback is to depart and Jonjo Shelvey could follow. But a call will also need to be made over whether Lewis O’Brien has a part to play when he returns from his DC United loan on July 16.
And it may be a centre-back is required as Forest try to shore up at the back. They have several on the books, but decisions will need to be made about some this summer.
Contract calls
That brings us to getting contract situations sorted. When it comes to the centre-backs in particular, several are due to see their current deals expire in 2024.
With 12 months left to run, now is about the time when clubs either offer fresh terms or look to cash-in rather than risk players walking away as free agents. Joe Worrall, Scott McKenna, Steve Cook, Willy Boly and Felipe are all in that boat, as is Loic Mbe Soh, who spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Guingamp. Cook has already indicated his future will need to be addressed, having been left out of the 25-man squad following the closure of the January transfer window.
Also with a year left on their contracts are Serge Aurier, Horvath, Wayne Hennessey, Harry Arter, Cheikhou Kouyate and Sam Surridge. Chris Wood is said to have a contract until 2024 when his move officially becomes permanent next week.
Oversee outgoings
There will be as much focus on exits as on signings during the window. There is a need to trim the squad.
Cook, Richards and Giulian Biancone were left off the 25-man list for the second half of the campaign. And this time around, younger players such as Brennan Johnson, Neco Williams and Danilo will need to be included, having previously been in the under-21 group which does not count towards that total.
All of that means some players will be moved on, with space also needed to be made for incomings. Additionally, Forest have a number of players who have been out on loan – the likes of Horvath, O’Brien, Mbe Soh, Richie Laryea, Josh Bowler, Hwang Ui-jo and Braian Ojeda. Do any of them have a part to play either this coming season or in the future, or would seeking out permanent moves be best?
Setting up loans
Following on from the above point, for some of the club’s much younger players, in particular, the Reds will look into the prospect of loan spells. They will no doubt be eager to avoid a repeat of what happened with Alex Mighten, when his stint at Sheffield Wednesday was cut short – much to Cooper’s frustration.
“That will be part of the job, looking after everybody,” Cooper has said. “There needs to be the right programme, the right plans and decisions made on everybody that belongs to the club.”
Riley Harbottle, for instance, did well on loan at Mansfield Town. The Stags were keen to get him back but have indicated a League One loan is most likely for the youngster.
Jesse Lingard criticised after Instagram farewell to Nottingham Forest
Jesse Lingard has left Nottingham Forest less than a year after joining the club following his exit from Manchester United.
A number of football fans have criticised Jesse Lingard after he took to Instagram to bid farewell to his time at the City Ground.
Less than a year after the former Manchester United attacking midfielder joined the 2022 Championship play-off final winners on a free transfer, Forest, last week, made the decision to release him after just one season on the banks of the Trent. He rejected a return to West Ham United in favour of joining the newly promoted club last summer.
However, his time in the Midlands failed to work out at as he made just 20 appearances in all competitions for Steve Cooper’s side. He started the campaign as a regular fixture in the team before losing his place as Forest started to adapt to life back in the Premier League.
He played just 60 minutes worth of Premier League football between New Year’s Day and the end of the Premier League campaign, chalking up those minutes over just three appearances. He scored just two goals in Forest colours, both of which came in the Carabao Cup.
Addressing his exit from the City Ground, Lingard posted on his Instagram page: “Thank you to everybody at @officialnffc, from the fans to all the backroom staff and, of course, the players. [It’s] been a rollercoaster journey but we stuck together through thick and thin and achieved our goal. It’s been a pleasure.”
Though some Forest supporters wished Lingard all the very best in his next chapter and thanked him for his efforts during his short spell at the club, others took the opportunity to criticise him. He failed to live up to expectations at the City Ground and some made their feelings towards him known.
