Deadline Day Strategy: Sean Dyche Orchestrates Final Trio of Targets to Fortify Nottingham Forest
NOTTINGHAM — After a period of quiet deliberation and strategic planning, the floodgates at the City Ground are expected to open. With the winter transfer window set to slam shut at 7:00 PM this evening, February 2, 2026, Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche finds himself at the center of a whirlwind of activity. While the window has been a “slow-burner” by historical Forest standards, the final hours of the market promise to be a high-stakes race to provide the Reds with the depth necessary to navigate a grueling Premier League run-in.
The club has already made significant strides in fortifying the spine of the team. On Sunday, the arrival of 33-year-old goalkeeper Stefan Ortega from Manchester City provided an immediate injection of experience and ball-playing composure to the defensive unit. Ortega’s signing follows the earlier recruitment of towering Italian striker Lorenzo Lucca, who joined on loan from Napoli to offer a traditional “Dyche-style” focal point in attack. However, with injuries mounting—most notably the “double whammy” blows sustained during the recent draw with Crystal Palace—the manager is far from finished.
The Midfield Conundrum: Frattesi, Ayari, and the Engels Saga
A primary concern for Dyche remains the heart of the pitch. Forest have been aggressively pursuing Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi, but recent reports from Italy suggest the trail is growing cold. Inter’s reluctance to sanction the move stems from their own failed pursuit of Liverpool’s Curtis Jones; without a replacement secured, the Nerazzurri are unlikely to let Frattesi depart for the banks of the Trent.
This setback has forced the recruitment team to pivot toward secondary targets. Brighton’s Yasin Ayari is being closely monitored, but it is the pursuit of Celtic’s Arne Engels that has dominated the headlines. Forest reportedly submitted a £14 million offer for the 22-year-old Belgian, who has impressed since his £11 million move from Augsburg in 2024.
However, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has slammed the door shut on any potential deal. Speaking to the Daily Record, O’Neill delivered a characteristically defiant rebuff:
“I would want [the bid] rebuffed, unless it was £100 million,” O’Neill joked. “And then I think the board would step in there. He is not for sale.”
The Left-Back Search: A Position of Necessity
The injury to Matz Sels and the general lack of depth on the left flank have made the recruitment of a specialist left-back a “non-negotiable” for Dyche today. Napoli’s Mathias Olivera remains the club’s preferred choice, though Antonio Conte’s refusal to sanction a departure without an incoming replacement has created a familiar stalemate.
Furthermore, a late attempt to lure Robin Gosens from Fiorentina appears to have hit a dead end. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the German international has no intention of leaving Florence, specifically rejecting Forest’s advances in favor of helping Fiorentina in their own battle against relegation. This leaves Forest scouring the late market for an alternative “Dyche-profile” defender before the 7:00 PM cutoff.
[Table: Nottingham Forest Transfer Activity — Winter Window 2026]
| Player | Position | Status | Origin/Target |
| Stefan Ortega | Goalkeeper | SIGNED | Manchester City |
| Lorenzo Lucca | Forward | SIGNED | Napoli (Loan) |
| Arne Engels | Midfielder | REJECTED | Celtic (£14m Bid) |
| Robin Gosens | Left-Back | REJECTED | Fiorentina (Player Choice) |
| Mehdi Taremi | Forward | MONITORING | Olympiacos |
| Mathias Olivera | Left-Back | NEGOTIATING | Napoli |
Hunting for Goals: The Striker Priority
While the signing of Lucca has provided relief, Dyche remains wary of over-reliance on a single target man. With moves for Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jorgen Strand Larsen currently classified as “no-gos,” the focus has shifted toward Mehdi Taremi at Olympiacos. Taremi’s intelligence and veteran presence are seen as the perfect foil for Taiwo Awoniyi, who recently reminded the faithful of his value with a critical goal against Brentford.
“We’ll see,” Dyche said when questioned about his final hours in the window. “There has been noise about strengthening up front, and then all of a sudden ‘T’ [Awoniyi] pops up with a goal and reminds us what he’s capable of. But we have still got a lot of games to play. Left-back and midfield are areas we could bolster up.”
Retaining the Crown Jewels
Perhaps the most encouraging news for Forest supporters is the club’s firm stance on outgoings. Despite significant interest in Elliot Anderson and the Brazilian defender Murillo, Dyche has insisted that the club remains in total control of its assets.
“I think it’s highly unlikely we lose anyone, unless it’s our decision,” Dyche noted stoically. “We’ve got control of that, that’s for sure.” By ensuring that no key pillars of the squad are sold in the final hours, Forest are betting that a few strategic additions will be enough to propel them toward mid-table security.
The Final Sprint
As the 7:00 PM deadline looms, the question remains whether the “two or three” targets Dyche has identified can be successfully landed. With the Engels and Gosens deals seemingly off the table, the recruitment team must work the phones with clinical precision. For a club that has often embraced chaos in the final hours of a window, the hope today is for a controlled, efficient finish that gives Sean Dyche the tools to finish the job.