Nottingham Forest is a club synonymous with transfer window drama, and as the February 2nd deadline approaches, the City Ground is expected to be a hub of activity. To cut through the endless rumors, we decided to put a popular AI algorithm to the test, asking it to forecast the club’s final moves. Is it a digital crystal ball or just a high-tech parrot of existing gossip?
Here is the projected business for the Reds according to the AI:
Three Major Incoming Transfers
The AI suggests Forest will focus on a “budget-conscious” approach, leaning heavily on loan market opportunities:
- Lorenzo Lucca (Napoli): In what the AI calls a “safe bet,” it predicts the successful completion of a loan-to-buy deal for the Italian striker, with a final permanent price tag of roughly £30m.
- Kostas Tsimikas (Liverpool): With Oleksandr Zinchenko departing, the AI expects Forest to secure Tsimikas. Currently on a loan at AS Roma that looks set to end early, the Greek left-back is tipped to join Forest on a straight loan without a purchase obligation.
- Joe Willock (Newcastle): Perhaps the most intriguing “original” thought from the AI is the arrival of Joe Willock. With the midfielder falling down the pecking order at St. James’ Park, the algorithm predicts a low-cost loan deal for the former Arsenal man.
Three Key Departures
To balance the squad, the AI expects several high-profile exits following Arnaud Kalimuendo’s move:
| Player | Destination | Deal Type |
|---|---|---|
| James McAtee | FC Porto | Loan with £30m option to buy |
| Douglas Luiz | Aston Villa | Loan terminated; return to former club |
| Taiwo Awoniyi | Mainz | Loan with an option to buy |
The AI predicts a “Zinchenko-style” exit for Douglas Luiz, whose loan from Juventus hasn’t gone to plan, while James McAtee’s move to Portugal would allow Forest to potentially recoup their initial investment. The departure of fan-favorite Taiwo Awoniyi to the Bundesliga would mark a significant shift in Sean Dyche’s attacking options.
Verdict: Clever or Copycat?
While the AI’s predictions are logical, they largely mirror existing reports from outlets like The Athletic. The Joe Willock suggestion is the only true outlier. If that specific deal comes to fruition, it might be time to take the “intelligence” in AI much more seriously—before things start looking a bit too much like a sci-fi movie.
