Oliver Glasner transformed one young midfielder into a superstar at Crystal Palace. Now Nottingham Forest believe they’ve found the man who can do it all over again.
There’s genuine excitement building around the City Ground, and it’s not just about results on the pitch. With Oliver Glasner now at the helm, Forest fans have reason to believe the club is finally heading in the right direction — and a fresh midfield addition arriving in the closing hours of the transfer window could prove the clearest signal yet.
The Wharton Blueprint
During his time at Crystal Palace, Glasner built his signature 3-4-2-1 system around one standout performer: Adam Wharton. The Englishman became the engine room of Palace’s play, dictating tempo and unlocking the creativity of those ahead of him — development that’s since made him one of the most coveted young midfielders in the country.
Since arriving at Forest, Glasner has been searching for his next version of that player. Elliot Anderson, who might have filled the role, had already left before Glasner took charge. In the meantime, James McAtee has been shifted into a deeper role and impressed in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool — 89 minutes played, 24 passes completed, 8 defensive actions, and 5 ball recoveries — hinting he could handle the responsibility in the short term.
But Forest’s hierarchy clearly want more firepower in that area before the window shuts.
Enter Gustavo Puerta
After missing out on several midfield targets — including Trey Nyoni, Harrison Armstrong, and Lucas Bergvall, all of whom rejected Forest’s approaches — attention has shifted decisively to Racing Santander’s Gustavo Puerta.
According to journalist Julian Capera, Forest have agreed to trigger the Colombian international’s release clause, with Puerta set to sign a deal running until 2030. He’s reportedly flying to the UK for a medical within hours, before being loaned out to sister club Olympiacos for the 2026/27 season. The fee being reported sits around £17 million.
Why Puerta Fits the Wharton Mould
Puerta’s underlying numbers make the comparison to Wharton easy to understand. Last season in Spain, he posted a 90% pass completion rate, placing him in the top 8% of midfielders in Europe — a clear sign of his ability to control games from deep, much like Wharton did under Glasner at Selhurst Park.
He’s also comfortable carrying serious defensive responsibility, averaging 1.2 interceptions and 6.4 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, while his 82 touches per 90 rank him in the top 4% of players across the continent for on-ball involvement.
Interestingly, Puerta already has a connection to Forest’s squad — he lined up alongside new signing Daniel Muñoz for Colombia at the recent World Cup, giving him a potential head start settling into the group.
The Bigger Picture
If completed, the Puerta deal would represent smart, low-cost business with genuine long-term upside — exactly the kind of signing Forest need if they’re serious about giving Glasner the tools to replicate his Palace success. With the deadline just hours away, all eyes are now on whether this move gets finalised before the window closes for good.
