Nottingham Forest have pulled off one of the summer’s sneakiest pieces of business, agreeing to sign Austrian international Xaver Schlager on a free transfer after his RB Leipzig contract expired — and it’s Oliver Glasner’s fingerprints all over this one.
The Deal
According to David Ornstein, Schlager has agreed a two-year contract with the option of a third season, with his medical set to take place this week before he heads out to join the squad at Forest’s pre-season training camp in Portugal. It’s an eye-catching coup for a club that’s already been busy this summer — and this one didn’t cost a penny in transfer fees.
Why This Is Such Smart Business
Leipzig were genuinely keen to keep hold of their vice-captain, having signed him from Wolfsburg back in 2022 for around €12 million. But with his deal running down, Schlager opted to explore his options rather than renew — and reportedly turned down interest from several of Europe’s elite clubs to instead choose Forest. For a club to land a player of his caliber for zero transfer fee, freeing up funds to redirect toward wages instead, is about as shrewd as summer business gets.
The Glasner Factor
Here’s the real story behind the move: Oliver Glasner, Forest’s own Austrian manager, is understood to have played a decisive role in convincing Schlager to choose the City Ground. Having previously worked with several Austrian players throughout his career, Glasner reportedly pushed hard for the signing, and his vision for the club appears to have been a major factor in winning the race for his countryman’s signature. This becomes Glasner’s first signing since taking charge at Forest earlier this month.
Fresh Off a Strong World Cup
Schlager arrives with his stock riding high after a solid World Cup campaign with Austria, starting all four of their matches as the team reached the round of 32 before bowing out to Spain. It’s the latest chapter in an impressive international career that’s seen him earn 55 caps for his country, adding genuine leadership and tournament experience to Forest’s engine room.
Filling a Crucial Gap
The timing couldn’t be better either. Forest recently lost Elliot Anderson to Manchester City in a £116 million deal, leaving a genuine void in midfield. While the club had also been linked with Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall as a potential alternative, the chance to bring in a player of Schlager’s pedigree for absolutely nothing proved impossible to turn down.
He’ll join a midfield department already featuring Ibrahim Sangaré, Nicolás Domínguez, Ryan Yates, Morgan Gibbs-White, and James McAtee — giving Glasner a genuinely stacked engine room to work with heading into the new season.
A Statement Signing
With 150 appearances in the Bundesliga and a reputation built on relentless work rate, ball-winning ability, and composure on the ball, Schlager looks tailor-made for the physical demands of the Premier League. Landing a player of this profile without paying a transfer fee could end up being one of the smartest pieces of business anyone pulls off this summer.
Have Your Say
Forest fans, how big a signing is this for Glasner’s midfield rebuild? Is Schlager the readymade replacement Forest needed for Elliot Anderson? Let us know your thoughts below.
