Collapsed lungs and £17m moves – what happened to the players linked with Nottingham Forest?

Latest Nottingham Forest news as NottinghamshireLive looks at players linked with the Reds in summer transfer window

Nottingham Forest hope the 13 signings they made this summer can help take them to the next level in the Premier League.

The Reds did some impressive business during the transfer window, leaving head coach Steve Cooper with plenty of options when the action resumes after the international break. Owner Evangelos Marinakis talked earlier this week about a transfer plan which was “very clear and well calculated”.

As with every club in every window, however, Forest were linked with plenty of players who didn’t put pen to paper at the City Ground in the end. We take a look at what happened to some of those who were said to be on the Reds’ radar but didn’t join up with Cooper’s side.

Carlos Borges

Forest were one of several teams with an eye on the talented teenager. West Ham United and Palermo were also linked with the 19-year-old.

However, Ajax won the race for his signature. They signed the attacker from Manchester City in a deal worth up to 20 million euros (£17.3m). A 20 percent sell-on clause, as well as a buy-back option for City, is said to have been included.

Dean Henderson

After impressing on loan from Manchester United last term, the Reds were keen to get the goalkeeper back. The transfer saga dragged on for much of the summer, but it ended with Forest signing Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos, while Henderson went to Crystal Palace for £20m.

Having been sidelined with a thigh injury since January, he is yet to make his debut for Palace. But he will come up against his former club when Cooper’s side visit Selhurst Park next month.

Renan Lodi

As with Henderson, a return for Brazilian Lodi would have been a hugely popular deal. It wasn’t to be, with the left-back opting to leave Atletico Madrid for Marseille. A fee of 13m euros (£11m) was reportedly paid to secure his services.

Filip Kostic

A link with the versatile Juventus defender emerged in mid-August. West Ham were also said to be keen amid the Italian outfit apparently being willing to let him go for £13m. Despite the reported interest, Kostic stayed put.

Ian Maatsen

Before the Reds got their summer shopping up and running, they were said to have “expressed interest” in the Chelsea defender. West Ham, Benfica and Wolfsburg were also linked.

According to 90min, late in the transfer window, the Blues agreed a deal to sell Maatsen back to Burnley, where he had a successful loan spell last season. It is said an initial loan was set to be followed by a £31.5m permanent transfer next summer, but the player himself rejected the move. He has 12 months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, and Manchester City are said to now be keeping tabs on his situation.

Alban Lafont

As Forest looked to address their goalkeeping situation, they reportedly explored the possibility of signing Lafont from Nantes this summer. It was said they “sought information” about a potential transfer, before opting to bring in Turner.

Lafont is still at Nantes and recently signed a contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2027, with the French outfit apparently eager to avert any further interest in the shot-stopper. He is currently sidelined with a collapsed lung, which he suffered when he clattered into the post during a recent defeat to Toulouse.

Alexander Djiku

It was said to be a two-horse race to sign the free agent centre-back this summer. He opted against signing a new deal with Strasbourg, and reportedly had offers from Forest and Fenerbahce. He plumped for the latter and has made six appearances for them so far, including three in the Europa Conference League.

Wilmar Barrios

Midfield was a priority area for strengthening for the Reds. Ibrahim Sangare was always their top target, but other options were also on their radar.

Reports suggested Forest made a 4m euros (£3.4m) offer to Zenit St Petersburg for Barrios, but it was rejected as the Russian side wanted 15m euros (£12.8m) before they would consider allowing the 29-year-old to leave.

Barrios went on to address the speculation. He said: “Conversations from outside are normal. I defend the colours of this jersey in every match.

“Yes, I have an offer from Nottingham Forest. But I am 100 percent focused on Zenit.”

No move materialised, and he has made six league appearances so far this season, including being sent off in a 3-2 defeat to Dynamo Moscow. He is currently on international duty with Colombia.

Giovani

Before the summer window opened, Forest were said to be eyeing up 19-year-old attacker Giovani. Barcelona and Ajax were also credited with an interest.

The Brazilian went on to join Qatari side Al Sadd from Palmeiras. However, he suffered a cruciate ligament and cartilage injury during a friendly and is facing a long spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery.