Murillo question and big squad calls – Taking stock of Nottingham Forest on the transfer clock

Nottingham Forest have just over a month to put the finishing touches on Nuno Espirito Santo’s side for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

Clubs have until 11pm on August 30 to complete their transfer business. It will no doubt be an interesting finish to the window at the City Ground.

The Reds have made a solid start to the summer with some excellent deals completed. They still have some work to do, however, as they aim to start under Nuno next season.

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As the opening game with Bournemouth gets closer and closer and the transfer deals start to pick up, we take a look at the current state of play. Below is our analysis of the outstanding issues related to players still on the book.

Does Murillo matter?

Brazilian ace Murillo has been at the center of much transfer talk in recent weeks. A scintillating debut season in English football saw him fall short of the limelight.

At the start of the summer, the centre-back suggested his future was uncertain. However, he has since made clear his intention to stay put for another season.

“I need regular game time and I really feel that with Forest I am in the best place for my career,” he told The Telegraph. Such a statement will have been music to the ears of Reds fans.

Is this the end of the matter? Forest will certainly hope so.

Having passed last month’s accounting deadline to comply with financial regulations, with their prized assets still in place, the club were always going to be well placed to deal with any offers – should they come – on their own terms. And now Murillo himself has declared that he is happy at the City Ground.

However, there is still a long way to go in the transfer window. Murillo’s admirers might think he’s still worth a shot at some point, even if there’s no indication he’ll be successful.

Marginal players

The Reds have been quick out of the blocks when it came to cutting numbers this summer. Overseeing some departures was near the top of their to-do list, and they didn’t stay.

Six players were released at the end of their contracts, five loanees returned to their parent clubs and money was brought in from the sales of Odysseas Vlachodimos, Moussa Niakhate and Orel Mangala. However, they still have a number of players most likely to head elsewhere in the coming weeks.

Finding moves for Joe Worrall, Josh Bowler and Hwang Ui-jo will be on the agenda. In some cases, such as Worrall, it might be a case of playing an easy waiting game. Sheffield United remain keen on the centre-back but it could be later in the window before there is any move.

Part of the team?

There are a few players with question marks over their Trentside futures. Will they be part of the 25 man team for the upcoming campaign?

Omar Richards falls into this category. Two years after becoming a Forest player, the left-back only made his Garibaldi debut in last week’s friendly with Sunderland. He marked the occasion by finding the back of the net to secure a 1-1 tie.

Richards has had a nightmare couple of years with an injury, but his loan spell at Olympiacos has seemed to do him good. There has been talk that he could be back there this time, but the Reds will no doubt assess whether he can do a job for them.

Some fans suggested the same about Emmanuel Dennis after he returned from loan last season. The Reds need more attacking threat but the former Watford man has often been frustrating to watch in a Forest shirt.

A decision needs to be made on Matt Turner as well. The American was pushed to third choice after the arrival of Carlos Miguel. He has interest from MLS and will no doubt consider whether he is better off seeking regular playing time elsewhere. If he leaves, Nuno must consider whether a third senior stopper is needed in the ranks.

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