Nottingham Forest are expected to sanction outgoings as well as incomings this month as head coach Steve Cooper shapes his squad for the second half of the season.
So far, Gustavo Scarpa is the only new addition in the January transfer window, while Loic Bade has headed in the opposite direction. The former joined on a free transfer from Palmeiras, linking up with the squad last month ahead of his contract officially kicking in. Bade, meanwhile, never made a competitive appearance before his loan from Rennes was cut short and has since signed for Sevilla.
The young defender is unlikely to be the only player to leave the City Ground before the month is out. The Reds are already at the limit of their permitted 25-man Premier League squad, and with the club looking to strengthen, that will require some players having to make way for any new arrivals.
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Cafu and Lyle Taylor did not make the cut for the 25-man squad after the summer window, while Harry Arter has not been part of the first-team set-up for some time. The likes of Emmanuel Dennis, Sam Surridge and Loic Mbe Soh have also been the subject of speculation.
Asked about possible departures in the window, Cooper said ahead of Saturday’s trip to face Blackpool in the FA Cup: “It’s possible, yes, for sure. I don’t think anything is imminent or close, but we’re still fairly early on in the window. It’s very possible that players could leave, or maybe not, I’m not too sure. Likewise with incomings.
“We’re joined-up in terms of what we think would be helpful to progress the team and the squad. But at the same time, all I’ve got to focus on today is getting the work right with the boys who are here and getting ready for Blackpool.
“If things change with personnel in the next few weeks, then we’ll deal with that. Every manager will be saying exactly the same.”
Cooper has also not ruled out strengthening the Reds’ ranks before their next Premier League match, against Leicester City on Saturday week. They have two cup games to come before then, against the Seasiders and a quarter-final Carabao Cup clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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