Three weeks in and Nottingham Forest have made a very solid start to the summer transfer window.
There is a lot of work still to be done but the early signs are certainly promising. There is much to like about the business done so far.
The big positive is that the Reds came through “PSR deadline day” in a strong position. The June 30 accounting deadline created a mini transfer window of sorts as clubs looked to comply with Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
Interest in the pair – and some of the Reds’ other star players – will not go away, but the club should be in a strong position to deal with any offers and assess them on their own terms. If they wish to drive a hard bargain, they can.
Forest have already demonstrated their nose for negotiating good deals this summer. Cash raised from selling the likes of Odysseas Vlachodimos, Moussa Niakhate and Orel Mangala is testament to that
Inroads have certainly been made over trimming numbers. There was no hanging about on that front when six senior players were released at the end of their contracts and five loanees were sent back to their parent sides very early on in the summer.
At around the same time, it was announced that Ola Aina and Willy Boly were going nowhere. A one-year contract extension was activated for the former while fresh terms were agreed with his defensive teammate. Both were big players last season and they will be again. They are key members of the dressing room as much as they are important players on the pitch.
Newcomer Elliot Anderson could follow their lead in having a significant influence on games. Much has been made of the substantial fee paid to Newcastle United for his services, but Forest have secured a very promising talent.
At 21, the midfielder has bags of potential but also a valuable amount of experience already under his belt. The £35 million splashed out is a lot of money – and some may question whether it might have been better spent on other areas of the pitch – but Anderson clearly has a lot to offer. His versatility will be particularly useful, even if the verdict from the north east is that pinning down his best position will help him to thrive.