The summer transfer window is hurtling toward its final, frantic hours, and the atmosphere at the City Ground is nothing short of electric. With the 11 PM deadline fast approaching, Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner and the club’s recruitment team are locked in a high-stakes race against the clock to put the finishing touches on a squad charged with charging up the Premier League table.
While the club has already welcomed fresh blood—most recently sealing a three-year deal for defender Daniel Munoz, while seeing winger Omari Hutchinson depart on loan to AC Milan—the rumor mill suggests the business on Trentside is far from over. According to insights from Nottingham Forest correspondent Sarah Clapson, up to seven potential incoming and outgoing deals could define a wildly dramatic deadline day.
1. Zach Abbott: Securing Future Potential
Academy graduate Zach Abbott has attracted heavy interest from the EFL throughout the summer. Southampton appear to have won the fiercely contested race for his signature, with a season-long loan deal reportedly structured to include an option for a permanent transfer.
2. Morato: The West Ham Reunion
Defensive outgoings are also on the cards. While Serie A heavyweights Roma and Torino expressed strong interest in Brazilian defender Morato, a reunion with former Reds boss Nuno Espírito Santo at West Ham United appears to be gathering momentum. Like the Abbott agreement, this exit is expected to be structured as a loan with an option to buy.
3. Arnaud Kalimuendo: A Late Twist in the Attack
Earlier in the window, Glasner indicated that talented forward Arnaud Kalimuendo was firmly part of his plans after an eye-catching pre-season. However, the manager explicitly cautioned that a significant late offer could alter the landscape. Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt have re-ignited their pursuit, alongside lingering interest from Serie A side Fiorentina.
4. Gustavo Puerta: The Multi-Club Pipeline in Action
In typical Marinakis-group fashion, Forest are poised to complete a clever multi-club transaction. Reports from Colombia indicate that Gustavo Puerta is set to sign for the Reds from Racing Santander, though he will immediately be redirected on loan to fellow Evangelos Marinakis-owned club Olympiacos, mirroring Gustavo Sa’s path earlier in the summer.
5. Jacob Murphy: Chasing a Deadline-Day Breakthrough
The pursuit of Newcastle United’s Jacob Murphy remains one of the window’s most fascinating subplots. The Daily Mail reported that Newcastle swiftly rejected an opening bid in the region of £10 million submitted over the weekend. Boasting elite versatility to operate as a wing-back or a creative number-ten in Glasner’s tactical framework, the 31-year-old’s experience would be a massive asset. Whether Forest return with a final, improved offer remains to be seen.
6. Goalkeeper Search: A Late Twist for a New Number One
In a surprising eleventh-hour pivot, Forest have explored the market for a new starting goalkeeper. While an approach for Crystal Palace’s Dean Henderson hit a dead end, fleeting rumors linked the club to Liverpool’s Giorgi Mamardashvili. While Matz Sels remains a exceptionally reliable option between the sticks, any unexpected late-window arrival in goal would likely trigger the departure of John Victor.
7. Midfield Reinforcements: Last-Gasp Surprises
Bolstering the engine room has been a persistent priority all summer. While a deal for Corinthians’ Andre appears more likely to materialize at the end of the year, Forest’s aggressive groundwork earlier in the window—including testing the waters for Everton’s Harrison Armstrong and Liverpool’s Trey Nyoni, alongside a long-standing appreciation for Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall—proves that supporters should not rule out a dramatic, rabbit-out-of-the-hat midfield signing before the shutters come down.
As the clock ticks toward 11 PM, the City Ground boardroom remains a hub of intense negotiation. Whether Forest execute a masterclass in squad balancing or scramble through a chaotic finish, these final hours will dictate the trajectory of their Premier League campaign.
