Nottingham Forest is officially cleaning house. Fresh off the shock £17 million sale of fan-favorite Taiwo Awoniyi to Coventry City, head coach Oliver Glasner has made it crystal clear: no one is safe in his new-look dressing room. The “clean slate” era is officially over, and the club is now working at breakneck speed to offload the players who don’t fit the German manager’s high-intensity, wing-back-reliant tactical blueprint.
Just hours after the Awoniyi bombshell dropped, reports have confirmed that a second high-profile star is packing his bags. Defender Nicolo Savona is on the verge of a return to Italy, with Atalanta moving into the driver’s seat to secure his services in what is being described as a high-stakes transfer battle.
From Premier League Heroics to Italian Exit
It’s a bittersweet development for Forest supporters. Savona, who arrived from Juventus with high expectations, became an instant cult figure during his sole season at the City Ground. Despite battling injuries that limited him to just 14 appearances, the right-back etched his name into Forest folklore with two unforgettable goals—one against Liverpool and another against Manchester United.
When called upon to deputize for Ola Aina, Savona proved he had the grit and technical quality to survive in the Premier League. However, a major knee injury required surgery, stalling his momentum and ultimately altering his trajectory at the club. Now, he is set to trade the English midlands for the Serie A, with Atalanta closing in on a deal that would keep him tied to the Italian club until 2031.
Why Glasner Is Cutting Ties
While Savona’s departure might baffle casual observers who remember his heroics against the league’s giants, it makes perfect sense under Glasner’s tactical philosophy. The manager has been explicit about his requirements for the wing-back positions: he demands an extreme level of athletic versatility, constant overlap, and relentless stamina.
Savona, while technically gifted, simply does not profile as the specific type of “modern wing-back” Glasner is hunting for this summer. In the German coach’s high-pressing, system-heavy approach, being a “good defender” isn’t enough; you must be an offensive engine. Recognizing that Savona’s long-term fit was questionable, the club has decided to cash in now, ensuring they have the budget to sign a player who fits Glasner’s system like a glove before the transfer deadline slams shut next month.
The Transfer Domino Effect
Atalanta is currently winning a heated race for Savona’s signature, reportedly fighting off stiff interest from AS Roma. The appeal for Savona is obvious: a return to a league he knows well and, crucially, the opportunity to compete in European competition this season.
For Nottingham Forest, the departure of both Awoniyi and Savona in the same 48-hour window is a massive signal of intent. The club is actively trimming the “fat” from the roster, shedding players who aren’t fully aligned with the Glasner project to clear the wage bill for a late-window sprint.
What Comes Next?
The recruitment team at the City Ground is now officially on “high alert” for a right-sided wing-back. With the departures piling up and the season opener looming, Glasner wants his squad finalized, unified, and perfectly balanced. The atmosphere at the training ground is tense, focused, and—for the first time in a long time—entirely controlled by the manager.
The message to the squad is simple: adapt to the demands, or make room for someone who can. As Forest prepares for the final weeks of the window, expect more departures, more tactical maneuvering, and perhaps one last big-name arrival as they look to turn the City Ground into a fortress for the 2026/27 campaign. One thing is certain: Nottingham Forest isn’t just making changes; they are undergoing a total transformation.
