Nottingham Forest rejected a club-record sale – it shows they are serious about Europe

Early in January, Chelsea reportedly planned to make a move for Brazilian centre-back Murillo, but Marinakis

rejected the possibility of a record-breaking transfer. Chelsea has had their eye on Murillo, who they signed for £10.1

million from Corinthians in August 2023, for a while, and Forest learnt of their interest when the transfer window

opened.

However, following a preliminary investigation, the possibility of a transfer was quickly shelved, and Murillo has

since inked a lucrative new deal, pledging his future to Forest and determined to support the team’s quest for

European football. No matter how big the offer, Marinakis was determined to reject any more approaches.

Although several Premier League teams are interested in Anthony Elanga, the £13.5 million winger, who was the

target of a high bid from Newcastle in the summer, Forest never intended to sell him in January. Forest will get

ready for the rest of the season with their current roster intact now that the window has closed.

Forest’s attempt to acquire a new forward was unsuccessful, as Brentford stuck to their guns by turning down a bid

for Yoane Wissa. Forest has targeted the Congolese attacker for the past two transfer windows, and on January 21, a

bid of about £18 million plus add-ons was rejected.

Talks were held last week through intermediaries over potentially reviving the deal, but Brentford made it clear that

Wissa was not for sale. Forest are expected to revisit their interest in the summer. The 28-year-old appeals to Nuno

and the recruitment department for his versatility as a forward who can play across the front three.

Marinakis did make it clear that funds were available for other players, but Nuno prefers to operate with a small,

balanced squad. Perhaps more importantly, the prospect of disrupting team spirit by bringing in a rushed signing

who does not fit into the dressing-room ethos was a risk Nuno did not want to take.

He has repeatedly stated in press conferences that “we cannot afford mistakes” when questioned about transfer

business.

Nuno has other options, but leading scorer Chris Wood is under some pressure to stay healthy for the remaining 14

league games. West Ham had a brief interest in Nigerian international Taiwo Awoniyi, but he has since assured the

team of his commitment through negotiations with Forest.

With the exception of James Ward-Prowse rejoining West Ham United following the mutual cancellation of his loan,

not much else happened. The midfielder fell further down the hierarchy after Ibrahim Sangaré and Danilo recently

made their injury comebacks.

Difference in strategy

Although Forest has a history of late drama on deadline days, things were comparatively peaceful this time. This

highlights a new level of maturity, a reluctance to act on impulse, and departmental collaboration.

Joel Ndala, a young winger for Manchester City, arrived late in the day on an initial loan after ending his time with PSV Eindhoven’s reserves, however his move is considered an academy acquisition.

A major factor in Forest’s success this season has been recruitment. Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic (£10.1 million from

Fiorentina), Ola Aina (free transfer), and record-breaking Morgan Gibbs-White (£25 million from Wolves) are

among the notable additions. According to Forest, the transfer value of some of those players has increased to more

over £60 million.

There is a clear difference in strategy from when the club was promoted from the Championship in 2022. Marquee

signings in the past such as Jesse Lingard and Divock Origi have not worked out, and there has been a shift towards

young, ambitious and athletic players.

The presence of profit and sustainability rules (PSR) is also a constant concern for clubs, with Forest sustaining a

four-point deduction themselves last season. Nuno said: “It has had a massive effect on transfers, not only for

January but also for June.

“PSR is present in the lives of football clubs these days and they have to keep looking at it. It has now changed

everything for everybody. Nobody wants to risk a situation like we had last season, so that’s why you sometimes see

things that don’t make much sense.”

Transfer plans for the summer are already well advanced, and talks over a new contract for Nuno are on the radar.

He endured a difficult first season but is in contention for manager of the year after this stellar campaign. The

Portuguese has just under 18 months left on his deal and Forest are set to instigate talks over improved terms.

Hierarchy driving win-at-all-costs mindset

Nuno and Forest’s team were training in the sweltering heat of Dubai during a mid-season break as deadline day in

England approached. Around this time of year, Nuno would frequently take his players away for a “reset” at his old

team, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and he thinks it will be essential in getting ready for the second half of the season.

Forest, now third in the standings, will play Fulham in the Premier League on February 15. Following a 5-0

thumping against Bournemouth, Forest’s most recent game saw them demolish Brighton 7-0, one of the season’s

best performances.

Fulham, Newcastle United, Arsenal, and Man City are the four teams they have lost to this season in a row. These

games could be very important.

Marinakis will insist that standards stay extremely high because of his unwavering ambition. Marinakis and other

high-ranking officials were upset following last month’s 1-1 draw with league leaders Liverpool. They are

encouraging players to focus on winning at all costs and to never forget that Forest is a large team that ought to be

competing at the top of the table on a regular basis.

The possibility of Forest going back to European trips for the first time since 1996, after keeping all of their stars, is

still very much alive.

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