There is now less than a week to go in the January transfer window Steve Cooper has suggested Nottingham Forest are still after new signings.
Forest have already signed three players so far this window, but many feel the squad is still a bit light, especially in attack.
Striker Keinan Davis, 23 joined on loan from Premier League side Aston Villa and veteran defender Steve Cook joined on a free from Bournemouth whilst Canadian full back Richie Laryea was signed from MLS side Toronto for around £800k.
Who could potentially join these three in making the switch to Nottingham this January?
Connor Goldson
Connor Goldson has entered the final months of his contract at Rangers and has been linked with a move to Forest throughout the January window, mainly due to the injury suffered by Joe Worrall. The 29-year-old centre half has also been linked with West Brom.
Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan spoke to Football Insider about the potential, he said: “Nottingham Forest is a great club with a lot of history. They’ve got a manager who has turned their fortunes around and got them fighting for promotion.
“If they’re in the Premier League next season, it could prove to be a brilliant move. If not, then it’s still not the worst move in the world.
“He’ll shine through in the Championship. I think he’d be a perfect fit for a club like Forest.”
Steve Cooper has denied the rumours claiming they already have enough cover at the back even in Worrall’s absence. This may be one that Forest look to complete once the Englishman is out of contract in the summer.
Festy Ebosole
Festy Ebosole is only 19 and is another player who has entered the final few months of his contract. He is currently at Forest’s rivals Derby County and can play as either a full back or a winger. According to The Mail on Sunday, Forest made a £500k bid only to be rejected by the man who started in the East Midlands Derby before being taken off on the hour mark. He has also been linked with a move to the Bundesliga.
Jed Wallace
Forest are reportedly ‘hopeful’ of signing versatile Millwall attacker Jed Wallace. Wallace is rated at around £9million but it is unlikely Millwall would receive such a fee. He can play anywhere across the attack and would add much needed depth to Steve Cooper’s side as they look to gain promotion to the Premier League. The 27-year-old has been at Millwall five years and has scored five and assisted six in 21 games. This seems like one of the more likely moves that could happen in the next six days.
Sean Longstaff
Sean Longstaff is a Newcastle academy graduate and has been linked with a £2 million move to The City Ground. The midfielder is out of contract in the summer, but manager Eddie Howe has spoke of his desire to keep him at the club past the summer. Forest had been linked with a loan move last month but rumours suggest that interest is now in a permanent move.
Paul Mukairu
Mukairu has been heavily linked with Nottingham Forest since the summer window. He is 21 and can play either out on the wing or up top. The Nigerian youngster currently plays for Turkish side Antalyaspor and has previously spent time on loan at Anderlecht. He has been described as quick and skilful and would certainly add something to the Forest attack. Mukairu was left out of the squad in his side’s huge game against Turkish giants Fenerbahce on January 15 as a move seemed to edge nearer. This seems like a signing that is very likely to go through over the course of the next week.
Bobby Jack McAleese
You could be forgiven for not knowing who Bobby Jack McAleese is, he is a 16-year-old Northern Irish midfielder who has been tipped cross the Irish Sea to join Forest’s U23 set up by the Belfast Telegraph. He currently plays for Coleraine and recently earned a call up to Northern Ireland’s U17 squad. Coleraine U18 manager Martin Smith described the talented youngster as “one of the best young midfield players in the country.”
Lee Buchanan
Lee Buchanan is a player that Forest were desperate to sign in the summer, they had three bids worth around £1million rejected for the Derby County man. He is just 20-years-old and plays on the left side of the defence. Buchanan, who was born in Mansfield, had a torrid time in the East Midlands Derby leading to many Forest fans turning their nose up at the thought of signing him. In his defence he had just returned from a two-month injury lay off.
Josh Bowler
Josh Bowler, 22 has been one of Blackpool’s best players so far this season leading to Forest taking notice. The English winger impressed against Forest earlier on in the season. He loves a trick and takes players on for fun. Forest are very interested in the former Everton man but Blackpool will not let him go unless a huge bid comes in, making this transfer unlikely to progress before next week’s deadline.
This looks to be setting up for a busy end to the January transfer window for Steve Cooper and his team, but who do you think they should sign? Let us know on our social media accounts or in the comments below.
