Although the January transfer window is still nearly three months away, planning behind the scenes at elite Premier League clubs never truly sleeps. At Nottingham Forest, manager Oliver Glasner has already identified his primary target to fine-tune a squad aiming for sustained success, with recruitment chiefs drawing up clear plans for the winter market.
Within Glasner’s tactical blueprint, the wing-back positions serve as the absolute engine room of the team. Having successfully reinforced the right side by bringing in Daniel Muñoz from Crystal Palace—a player who immediately grasped the manager’s high-octane demands—Forest’s recruitment team has now turned its full attention to upgrading the left flank.
Archie Brown Emerges as Glasner’s Dream Target
While Neco Williams has performed admirably and Luca Netz provides additional depth, Forest are eager to inject another layer of elite competition into the squad. According to reports from Turkish outlet Sabah, Turkish Super Lig outfit Fenerbahçe’s standout left-sided defender Archie Brown remains firmly at the top of Glasner’s wish list.
Forest pursued a deal for the English full-back during the summer window, but a formal agreement ultimately failed to materialize. Undeterred, the club’s hierarchy has reportedly set aside an initial €15m (£12.7m) war chest to kickstart negotiations when the winter window opens in January.
However, prising the 24-year-old away from Istanbul will not be straightforward. Fenerbahçe are currently demanding a significantly higher fee of £25.4m—effectively doubling Forest’s initial earmarked budget. While that valuation sounds steep, club owner Evangelos Marinakis may feel compelled to bridge the gap if Brown is truly viewed as a transformative difference-maker for Glasner’s system.
Built for the Premier League
Standing at an imposing 6 feet 3 inches, Brown possesses a rare physical profile for a modern full-back. Combining towering height with explosive pace, immense strength, and high-level technical ability, scouts widely agree that his game is custom-made for the physical demands of English football.
His stellar performances in the Turkish league this season have only heightened his stock. Waiting until the summer could spark a bidding war, making a decisive winter push all the more urgent if Forest want to secure a player whose market value is only trending upward.
As preparations continue at the City Ground, securing a player of Brown’s caliber would send a powerful statement about Forest’s ambition under Glasner, setting the stage for what promises to be a fascinating January transfer window.
Do you think Nottingham Forest should meet Fenerbahçe’s asking price to secure Archie Brown in January?
