The players heading for Nottingham Forest exit as…

The players heading for Nottingham Forest exit as retained list looms

Now the curtain has come down on the 2022/23 campaign, Nottingham Forest’s planning for another season of Premier League football can begin in earnest.

And with the Reds keen to establish themselves in the top-flight, they face a big summer transfer window. Overseeing the right ins and outs will be key.

Head coach Steve Cooper has said he expects a more “normal” number of signings, compared to last year’s dressing room overhaul. Technically, there is already one guaranteed addition, in the form of Chris Wood.

Forest’s conditional obligation to buy the striker from Newcastle United was triggered when he made his third loan appearance for the club. The move will then officially turn into a permanent one this summer.

The Reds have also already announced one exit, in midfielder Jack Colback. The midfielder departs the club at the end of his contract this summer.

Forest are yet to release their retained list, but it is expected Colback will not be the only player to leave as a free agent. We take a look at those players whose deals are set to run out and thus are due to move on as things stand.

Jordan Smith: The Reds need to assess their goalkeeping department this summer, but it seems the Nigel Doughty Academy graduate will not form part of it. He spent the second half of the campaign at Huddersfield Town and the signs point to it being the end of an era after two decades Trentside. Is on the radar of a couple of other clubs who would secure him for nothing.

Cafu: Although he was something of a cult hero last term, the midfielder was not included in the 25-man Premier League squad at all this time around. It looks as though his time Trentside is coming to an end.

Lyle Taylor: Similar to Cafu, the striker is expected to depart after being left out of the squad both before and after the January window closed. Has already been linked with Millwall, Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as having interest from the MLS.

Andre Ayew: As a free transfer on a short-term contract, the forward was a pretty low-risk signing. But his time in the Garibaldi hasn’t exactly worked out. Is said to have caught the eye of newly-promoted Luton Town.

Jesse Lingard: Despite barely playing from January onwards, the former Manchester United man remained a big part of the dressing room. That he bought into the club and remained a valued teammate was clear. There was a time not so long ago when Cooper indicated he would like to work with Lingard for as long as possible, but much has happened since then. He has been linked with Fenerbahce and Leicester City - although in the latter’s case that was before they fell through the relegation trapdoor.

Additionally, Serge Aurier's deal is believed to run until this summer, but the right-back has spoken about a one-year extension in the event of survival. Loanees Dean Henderson (Manchester United), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid) and Keylor Navas (PSG) will also see their deals end, although it may not quite be a final farewell for all of them.

What transfer business should Forest do this summer? Have your say in the comments below

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