Nottingham Forest Q&A: Summer Signings, PSR Issues, Player Status, and Stadium Update

Nottingham Forest have been the season’s surprise package, still in the hunt for the Champions League heading into the final day.

Just a point separates them from fifth-placed Chelsea, who they host on Sunday, needing a victory and a slip-up from either Aston Villa or Newcastle to return to the European Cup for the first time since 1980.

So much this summer will be decided by where Nuno Espirito Santo’s side finish in the table, but they already have their eyes on transfer targets, contract renewals and upgrades to the City Ground.

We put out the call for your questions on all things Forest – and here, our expert TOM COLLOMOSSE answers them all: 

Any news on transfer targets? – Oliver Adkin

I expect Forest to be active in the market again this summer, though the days of the heavy trading that characterised the first couple of transfer windows after promotion are hopefully long gone.

There are no immediate issues with PSR either, thankfully.

Do not be surprised if there is a move for Douglas Luiz (centre), who has struggled at Juventus since he moved from Aston Villa last summer

Forest need more options in attack and pushed hard for Yoane Wissa last January. I would think they’ll explore that route again.

They also have close links to Brazilian players and the Brazilian market so do not be surprised if there is a move for Douglas Luiz, who has struggled at Juventus since he moved from Aston Villa last summer.

Has Morgan Gibbs-White been unsettled by the links to Manchester City? – Richard

Nuno Espirito Santo has definitely been frustrated at the constant noise around this, and alluded to it at a recent press conference. I’m not sure Pep Guardiola’s very public chat with Gibbs-White on the Wembley pitch after the FA Cup semi-final went down too well at Forest, either.

I think Gibbs-White’s head has certainly been turned to an extent – but you can’t argue with his last couple of performances, even though he went eight games without a goal or an assist before his strike against Leicester earlier this month.

I think Morgan Gibbs-White’s head has certainly been turned to an extent – but you can’t argue with his last couple of performances

I’m not sure Pep Guardiola’s very public chat with Gibbs-White on the Wembley pitch after the FA Cup semi-final went down too well at Forest

Will Nuno still be the manager next season? – Joanne

Impossible to say at this stage, though the interest from the Saudi Pro League is real and, historically, Nuno does not do long stints at clubs – his four years at Wolves were an exception in that respect.

It’s also worth noting that Nuno has only a year left on his contract and is in a strong negotiating position for a new one, having brough Forest European football for the first time this century.

If Nuno were to leave, keep an eye on Marco Silva. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has admired the Fulham boss since they worked together at Olympiacos and they retain a strong relationship.

If we sell Gibbs-White to City, how much will we have to spend in the market ? – Red Tricky Tree

Gibbs-White looks like being a high-profile departure this summer and they will expect about £70m for him, though Wolves will be due about 10 per cent of any profit as part of the deal that brought him to the City Ground. 

Marinakis is not an owner to bank the money and sit on his hands. Forest will undoubtedly reinvest and Gibbs-White, who the squad now fully expect will leave, will not be the only sale.

Danilo has slipped down the pecking order and a return to Palmeiras is on the cards, perhaps with one of the Brazilian club’s promising younger players moving in the opposite direction.

I’d also anticipate interest in Anthony Elanga, who is a long-term target for Newcastle.

I’d also anticipate interest in Anthony Elanga, who is a long-term target for Newcastle

Do we have a cut-off point for the stadium plans before we move on and build somewhere else? – Forest Mad

Forest hope to start redevelopment work in summer 2026 but there are still hurdles to clear, and Forest retain the option of building an entirely new home elsewhere – as unpopular as that would be initially with their supporters.

Stadium projects can be infuriating for fans as there is continual back-and-forth with local government and other stakeholders, which delays the process. Look at how long Arsenal and Tottenham needed to deliver their new grounds.

Marinakis would never publicly tie himself to a certain date as it would weaken his negotiating position but the Forest owner wants the club to play in front of 50,000 and if that’s not possible at the City Ground, he won’t be afraid to take the tough decision.

Is there a good reason why Ola Aina has not signed a new contract? – The Random Pundit

Forest would love Aina to sign a new contract and, after showing the best form of his career, he is after a huge pay rise.

I believe the club hold an option to extend his contract until the end of next season, which they will of course activate.

That might work as a short-term option – it would ensure Forest receive a fee for Aina if he leaves this summer and give them more time to negotiate a new deal if he does not.

Forest would love Aina to sign a new contract and, after showing the best form of his career, he is after a huge pay rise

Do we need to sell players this summer? – D

Unlike some of their Premier League rivals, Forest do not have to sell a player before June 30 to ensure they comply with spending rules.

But players will go this summer and Gibbs-White is expected to be the most prominent among them, along with Danilo, as I have mentioned.

Forest have a decision to make on Ibrahim Sangare, too. A couple of months ago I’d have said he was certain to leave but he’s done reasonably well in recent matches and has three more years left on his contract, so there’s no rush to move him in that sense.

Is it possible Murillo leaves this summer? – Macca

Yes, especially if Forest don’t qualify for the Champions League.

The Brazilian is happy both at the club and in the city and signed a new contract in January. But he is one of the most sought-after defenders in the Premier League and when elite clubs show interest, it is very difficult for players to ignore it.

Murillo is one of the most sought-after defenders in the Premier League and when elite clubs show interest, it is very difficult for players to ignore it

The ideal scenario at Forest would be for Murillo to do another season, perform brilliantly at the World Cup and perhaps leave for a world-record fee for a defender

The ideal scenario at Forest would be for Murillo to do another season, perform brilliantly at the World Cup and perhaps leave for a world-record fee for a defender. 

But life comes at you fast in this game and there will be interest in Murillo this summer. One thing is certain: he won’t be cheap.

Will Forest offer to make Gibbs-White the highest-paid player at the club? – David

I think that boat has sailed, David. Forest would have loved him to sign a new deal during the season but it takes two to tango and discussions never really developed in a serious way – perhaps because Gibbs-White was aware of interest from rivals in the background.

The 25-year-old has two years remaining on his contract but it would be a huge surprise if this Sunday’s meeting with Chelsea at the City Ground were not the final game of his Forest spell.

Jota is believed to be happy at the club and is desperate to prove himself next season

Why has Jota Silva been left on the margins in the second half of the season? – Paula

It’s a strange one. Jota was an effective performer in the first part of the campaign, even keeping Anthony Elanga out of the team at one stage.

This is Nuno, though: after a while, he settles on a small group of 13 or 14 players who he trusts and it is very difficult for players on the outside to break in.

But Jota is believed to be happy at the club and is desperate to prove himself next season.