Here are your Nottingham Forest headlines on Wednesday, June 7, 2023.
Coady interest
Forest are said to have taken an interest in Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Conor Coady as they plot their summer transfer business.
The 30-year-old spent the season on loan at Everton, but they have decided not to take up the £4.5 million option to buy clause included in the deal. With Coady’s future at his parent side uncertain, the Reds are reported to be one of the clubs keeping tabs on developments.
Coady has emerged as a potential target for Forest, according to the Daily Mail. Newly-promoted Sheffield United are also linked with the Wolves man but a loan is said to be preferred by the Blades.
Forest already have a number of centre-backs on the books ahead of the 2023/24 season. However, they are likely to need to make decisions about the futures of some of them this summer as several have little more than 12 months left on their contracts - with this about the time when clubs weigh up whether to offer fresh terms or cash-in before risking players leaving as free agents.
Rivals eye Johnson
Everton and West Ham are "keen" to sign Forest forward Brennan Johnson.
The 22-year-old scored eight Premier League goals in his debut top-flight season as Forest comfortably avoided relegation under head coach Steve Cooper. Those performances have attracted interest from elsewhere in the country.
Premier League rivals Everton and West Ham are both interested in signing Johnson, who Forest value at £40million, according to the Daily Mail. They will be preparing to "battle it out" for his signature during the summer transfer market.
Johnson came through the academy ranks at Forest before making his senior debut in the Championship four years ago. He has since developed into one of the club's key players and has long had the attention of other clubs.
Lingard message
Jesse Lingard has reflected on his “rollercoaster journey” at Forest after his departure was confirmed.
The attacker will leave the Reds at the end of the month when his contract expires. It comes after he made the move to the City Ground as a free agent last summer.
Injuries hampered Lingard just when he had started to find form for Steve Cooper’s side. He made 20 appearances for the club and scored two goals.
Posting on Instagram, he wrote: “Thank you to everybody @officialnffc from the fans to all the back room staff and of course the players, been a rollercoaster journey but we stuck together through thick and thin and achieved our goal, it’s been a pleasure #demmander #fordes #wakawaka”
Henderson deal 'close'
Dean Henderson is “close” to completing a permanent move Forest from Manchester United, says a European transfer specialist.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper joined the Reds on a season-long loan from Old Trafford last summer, playing 20 times in all competitions and keeping six clean sheets in the Premier League during the first six months of the campaign.
However, he has not played since January after suffering a thigh injury against Leicester City. Manager Steve Cooper drafted in Paris Saint Germain stopper Keylor Navas for the remainder of the season. Nonetheless, Henderson has remained fully invested in Forest and joined players in celebrating survival after the 1-0 win over Arsenal on the final day of the season.
Maia in demand
Forest continue to be linked with Brazilian holding midfielder Pablo Maia but have another competitor for his signature to join the growing list of admirers linked with trying to buy him this summer.
The Reds have been ‘closely monitoring’ the Sao Paulo player in recent weeks but Premier League rivals Brentford are also understood to be keen on the 21-year-old’s services following earlier reports linking him with Newcastle United, West Ham and Fulham in the UK and Spanish side Atletico Madrid.
The defensive midfielder has made 84 appearances for his Brazilian side since making his debut last year after graduating from the club’s youth set-up. He has scored five goals and provided one assist so far during his career.
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