🔴 Nottingham Forest: The Final Countdown to Pre-Season
In just a week, Nottingham Forest will reconvene for the start of their pre-season training on Monday, July 7, marking the official beginning of preparations for the 2025/26 Premier League season. After a hard-fought campaign that saw them narrowly avoid relegation, Forest are looking to take the next step. Under the leadership of Nuno Espírito Santo, they’ll be hoping to move beyond survival mode and build a squad capable of achieving mid-table stability, or even targeting an ambitious push up the table.
This pre-season will be crucial for the club as they try to solidify their squad, offload surplus players, and plan for the challenges ahead. Squad reshuffling, financial restrictions, and potential transfer targets are all key topics currently dominating the discussion.
🔁 Transfer Watch: A Shifting Squad and Key Decisions
🧤 Matt Turner – Will He Stay or Go?
One of the most talked-about figures at the club is Matt Turner, the 31-year-old goalkeeper. Turner’s future at Forest has been the subject of speculation ever since Lyon showed interest in him. However, the move has recently hit a snag due to financial problems at Lyon, which has led to their provisional relegation from Ligue 1 (pending an appeal).
This new development means Turner’s desired move to France is now in jeopardy. With Lyon’s financial issues and the potential relegation hanging over them, it’s understandable why Turner might want to look elsewhere for his next career step. As a goalkeeper aiming to secure a starting position for the 2026 World Cup, Turner must be prioritizing regular playing time, and a move to a club with more stability would likely be in his best interest.
That’s where Wrexham comes into play. Tony Meola, a former USA international goalkeeper, suggested that moving to Wrexham could be a viable option for Turner, even if it means dropping to the Championship. Not only would it offer Turner a chance to play regularly, but there is also the added benefit of being part of Wrexham’s story, which is being documented in the hit series Welcome to Wrexham. Meola stated:
“If he plays every week, yeah, it would be an OK move… The key is to play, and he would certainly fit the whole narrative.”
However, Turner’s preference would still likely be to remain in a top-five league, with Ligue 1 or the Premier League remaining his most realistic ambitions. If no such offers materialize, Wrexham could become a fallback.
💸 Lewis O’Brien – The Transfer Tug of War
Another player who could be on his way out is Lewis O’Brien, whose future has been a hot topic in recent months. Forest are reportedly asking for £8 million for the 26-year-old midfielder, who impressed during a successful loan spell at Swansea City last season. O’Brien has been the subject of multiple offers, with clubs such as Valencia, Preston North End, Southampton, Hull City, and Birmingham City all reportedly interested in his services.
The most significant development has come from Wrexham, who are keen to make a £5 million bid for O’Brien, potentially breaking their transfer record in the process. This is a bold move from Wrexham, who continue to invest heavily in their squad as they aim to build for life in the Championship. However, this offer still falls short of Forest’s asking price, which may complicate any potential deal.
Forest’s stance on O’Brien’s value could force other suitors to enter the race, but wages are proving to be a sticking point. For instance, Swansea were reportedly put off by O’Brien’s wages during negotiations earlier this year, which means any club looking to sign him will need to be prepared to meet his salary demands, or Forest may have to consider loaning him out again.
If Forest can’t secure a transfer for O’Brien at their price, they may have to settle for a loan deal or a loan-to-buy arrangement that provides them with some financial return without completely losing the player.
💼 Jonjo Shelvey – Hull City Trial
As Jonjo Shelvey enters the twilight of his career, his journey at Forest seems all but over. After an underwhelming spell at Rizespor in Turkey and a brief loan to Burnley, Shelvey is again looking for a new club. The 33-year-old has struggled for consistent form in recent years, and his time at Forest can largely be described as disappointing.
Currently, Hull City are reportedly set to give Shelvey a chance to impress during pre-season training, according to HullLive. The idea is that both Shelvey and Hull will assess whether a future partnership makes sense, with no official contract on the table yet. For Shelvey, it’s an important opportunity to prove he can still offer something in the Championship after Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League, while Hull are looking for experienced players to help their push for promotion or solidify their mid-table position.
📉 Financial Fair Play and the PSR Challenge
Forest’s efforts to bolster their squad are significantly influenced by the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). These regulations are designed to ensure that clubs operate within their financial means, aiming to prevent excessive spending that could threaten the long-term stability of the league.
Forest experienced the consequences of breaching the PSR last season when they were deducted four points for not meeting the required financial thresholds. This has made their position in the market even more challenging, as they must now operate under more scrutiny than ever before.
Kieran Maguire, a football finance expert, has been vocal about how clubs like Forest are disadvantaged by the PSR system, particularly when compared to the more wealthy Premier League giants like Chelsea, who seem to exploit loopholes to their advantage. Chelsea’s ability to spend without fear of penalties has been a point of contention, especially considering the sale of assets like their women’s team and real estate, which are being used to balance the books.
Maguire argues that clubs like Forest are facing a financial glass ceiling, where they are unable to compete in the same way as the elite clubs:
“The whole point about player trading is that trading involves buying and selling. Throw in a further £350m of real estate and women’s team sales, plus some player registrations being amortized over 8-9 years and they have nothing to worry about from a PSR perspective.”
If Forest are to succeed in the transfer market, they will have to be creative, potentially looking at player sales, loan deals, and free transfers to ensure they don’t breach PSR limits again.
⭐ Elliot Anderson – Rising Star with a European Title
The good news for Forest fans is that one of their brightest prospects, Elliot Anderson, will return to the City Ground this summer as a European champion. The young midfielder played a starring role in England U21’s triumph at the European Championship in Slovakia, helping them retain the title they won in 2023.
Anderson’s impressive tournament performances have led to heightened expectations for the player, who will now be hoping to carry that form into Forest’s pre-season preparations. His successful involvement in England’s U21 squad has made him the second successive Forest player to win the tournament (following Morgan Gibbs-White last year).
Thomas Tuchel, the former Bayern Munich and Chelsea manager, reportedly visited the England U21 dressing room after the final win over Germany. While he was there to congratulate the players, it’s likely that he was also keeping an eye on potential future stars, including Anderson, who could soon be attracting interest from top clubs.
For Forest, Anderson represents a huge opportunity. If he continues to impress under Nuno’s watch, he could become an integral part of their midfield this season, offering both creativity and work rate. His development will be closely watched, and Forest may be able to lean on his rise as a central pillar of their midfield in the years to come.
🏋️♂️ A Clean Slate for All: What’s Next?
When pre-season begins next week, every player will be starting with a clean slate. Whether it’s returning loanees, fringe players looking to make a name for themselves, or new signings hoping to find a place in the squad, Nuno Espírito Santo will want to assess every player on an individual basis.
It’s a fresh start for many players:
Joe Worrall, who struggled at times last season, will have to prove he is worthy of a starting spot.
Renan Lodi, who arrived on loan from Atlético Madrid, will look to convince the coach that he can contribute regularly.
Ola Aina, Moussa Niakhaté, and others will be tasked with proving that they can be a part of Forest’s long-term plans.
Pre-season matches, including friendlies against both European clubs and domestic teams, will be vital in shaping the squad and tactics for the upcoming season. Forest need to get fitness levels up, but also implement Nuno’s tactical ideas.
📌 In Summary: What Lies Ahead for Nottingham Forest?
This is a critical summer for Forest as they balance financial restrictions, squad reshuffling, and tactical evolution. There are key decisions to be made in terms of player departures, and smart recruitment will be necessary to plug gaps, especially in central midfield and defense.
Here’s a snapshot of what to expect:
July 7 – Players report for pre-season training.
Transfer activity – Selling surplus players (e.g., O’Brien, Turner, Shelvey).
New signings – Likely to focus on strengthening key areas.
PSR management – Making sure to stay within the Premier League’s financial guidelines.
Friendlies – Pre-season games to test tactical ideas.
Forest will aim to build on last season’s solid foundation but must tread carefully in the market, keeping one eye on their financial stability while also striving for improvement on the pitch.