Nottingham Forest’s failure to sign a new striker in the January transfer window could prove to be a significant risk as they continue their push for European football. Despite strong links to both Matheus Cunha and Yoane Wissa, the club ultimately ended the window without bolstering their attacking options. Given Chris Wood’s remarkable form this season, breaking Forest’s Premier League goal-scoring record with 17 goals, it’s understandable why he remained the first-choice striker. However, the lack of proven goal-scoring support behind him could become a serious issue, particularly if Wood were to suffer an injury or a dip in form during the crucial final stretch of the campaign.

Forest’s Pursuit of a Striker: How Serious Was It?

Throughout the window, there were persistent reports that Evangelos Marinakis was keen to provide Nuno Espirito Santo with additional firepower. Matheus Cunha was reportedly Forest’s top target, and there were indications that the club was willing to break its transfer record to secure the Brazilian’s signature. However, despite their willingness to spend big, a deal never materialized. Wolves were unlikely to let Cunha leave mid-season, particularly given his importance to their squad. The transfer fee and contract demands may have been too high for Forest, ultimately making the move unrealistic.

When it became clear that Cunha was out of reach, Forest reportedly turned their attention to Brentford’s Yoane Wissa. With a solid Premier League goal-scoring record and the ability to play both centrally and out wide, Wissa seemed like a logical alternative. However, according to transfer expert Graeme Bailey, Forest’s approach for Wissa was never truly serious. While they did make contact with Brentford, it was described as merely “testing the waters” rather than a genuine attempt to get the deal done.

In hindsight, the club’s decision to keep Taiwo Awoniyi may have been a major indicator that a high-profile striker signing was unlikely. If Forest had wanted to sign a big-name forward like Cunha or Wissa, they may have needed to offload Awoniyi to help finance the deal. With Awoniyi staying put, it became clear that any attacking reinforcement would likely be a luxury rather than a necessity in the eyes of the Forest hierarchy.

A Gamble on Squad Depth

While missing out on a striker might not seem like a major issue while Wood is fit and firing, it does leave Forest vulnerable should anything happen to him. The supporting cast of attackers has struggled to contribute goals at the same rate, making the team heavily reliant on Wood’s finishing ability. Without his 17 goals, Forest’s position in the table would look drastically different, and it’s a testament to Nuno Espirito Santo’s tactical setup that they’ve been able to maximize his output.

The lack of goals from Taiwo Awoniyi is particularly concerning. With just one goal to his name this season, the Nigerian striker has been unable to provide a reliable alternative to Wood. Injuries have played a role in limiting his impact, but even when available, Awoniyi has not shown the same clinical edge that made him such an important figure last season.

Anthony Elanga has been one of Forest’s most creative players, providing eight assists, while Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson have also contributed with four and five assists, respectively. However, their goal-scoring output has not matched their creativity, meaning that Forest have struggled to find a consistent secondary source of goals beyond Wood.

Stuart Pearce recently praised Elanga’s performance against Brighton, highlighting his three assists in that match as evidence of his growing influence. However, even with these creative sparks, the finishing ability of the rest of the squad remains in question.

Looking Ahead: Will Forest Revisit Their Striker Search?

With the January window now closed, Nottingham Forest will have to rely on their existing squad for the remainder of the season. While they are still in contention for European football, the lack of a reliable second goal-scorer could become a major obstacle.

There is a chance that Forest will revisit their interest in Wissa during the summer window, as Brentford may be more open to negotiations at that time. Matheus Cunha, however, could be even more expensive by then, especially if he continues to perform well for Wolves.

For now, though, Forest’s hopes will rest on Wood maintaining his incredible form and the rest of the squad stepping up in front of goal. If Awoniyi can rediscover his scoring touch, and if Elanga, Gibbs-White, and Anderson can contribute more consistently, Forest may be able to mitigate the risks of not signing a new striker. However, if Wood is sidelined or experiences a slump, their failure to reinforce the attack could come back to haunt them.

Ultimately, while the club insists that they were only looking for quality over quantity in the market, the decision to go without a new striker feels like a gamble. Whether that gamble pays off will become clear in the coming months as Forest continue their battle for a place among England’s elite.