Tweaking formation might be a consideration for boss Steve Cooper to accommodate Nottingham Forest’s wealth of attacking talent.
Strengthening at the top end of the pitch was always going to be a priority for the Reds this summer, following promotion to the Premier League. And amid a busy window, Cooper now has a number of options. The challenge is deciding who plays.
Striker Emmanuel Dennis made his debut when he started Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup victory over Grimsby Town, while Morgan Gibbs-White had made his first appearance from off the bench at Everton on Saturday. Jesse Lingard and Taiwo Awoniyi had linked up with Forest earlier in the summer, and Brennan Johnson and Sam Surridge remain key figures in the squad after being integral to last term’s success.
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Taylor talk
Nottingham Forest striker Lyle Taylor could "possibly" sign for Birmingham City this summer, Blues boss John Eustace has confirmed.
Taylor spent the second half of last season on loan at Blues, scoring five goals across 14 appearances for the Blues, endearing himself to their supporters.
The striker has fallen down the pecking order at the City Ground following the arrivals of Emmanuel Dennis and Taiwo Awoniyi in the summer transfer window. He is now free to leave the Reds and will be looking to seal his exit before the transfer deadline on September 1.
Journalist Darren Witcop has since confirmed that Taylor will be allowed to leave City Ground at the end of the season, tweeting: "Nottingham Forest striker Lyle Taylor, who is down the pecking order at the City Ground, is free to leave before the transfer window closes. #nffc."
Signing 'close'
Serge Aurier is reportedly “closing in” on a move to Nottingham Forest.
The former Tottenham Hotspur defender is currently a free agent after his Villarreal contract expired this summer. The 29-year-old made 24 appearances across all competitions in his sole season for the Spanish side, providing back-up to first-choice right-back Juan Foyth.
Aurier previously spent four years with Spurs, where he made a total 110 appearances before leaving in October 2021. Currently looking for a new club, the Ivory Coast captain is reported to be a target for Steve Cooper ’s side, who are looking to boost their defensive options.
The Sun has reported that the Reds are “closing in” on a move for the full-back. Aurier is said to be the type of experienced player that Forest are “searching for” after new signing Omar Richards suffered a hairline fracture in pre-season.
Freuler's thoughts
Midfielder Remo Freuler says Nottingham Forest’s “exciting and ambitious” Premier League project convinced him to make the move to the City Ground.
The 30-year-old made the switch from Atalanta earlier this month, having spent six years and made more than 200 appearances for the Italian side. The hope is he will prove to be just as key for the Reds as he was for his previous club.
Freuler was an integral figure for Atalanta. He arrived on Trentside with a wealth of experience, including at Champions League and international level, for Switzerland.
He admits it wasn’t an easy decision to leave Italy. But the love shown for him by the Reds, not to mention the lure of playing in English football’s top-flight, proved persuasive.
What have you made of Forest's transfer business so far? Have your say in the comments below
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