Nottingham Forest Eye Matheus Nunes in Ambitious Summer Rebuild Ahead of European Return
The summer of 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most significant in Nottingham Forest’s recent history, as the club gears up for a return to European football after a 30-year absence. Under the stewardship of Nuno Espírito Santo, the Reds have not only stabilized their position in the Premier League but also pushed into the upper tier of English football, clinching a spot in European competition.
The final details of that continental adventure—whether in the UEFA Europa League or UEFA Conference League—will be confirmed following Forest’s final Premier League fixture against Chelsea. But irrespective of the competition, one thing is clear: the club is preparing to evolve both in ambition and personnel. And central to those plans is a move for Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes, a player who could represent a major coup for a club on the rise.
A Historic Moment for Forest – And a New Set of Challenges
Nottingham Forest’s return to European football is a landmark achievement. For a club with two European Cups in its storied past, the chance to compete on the continental stage again is more than symbolic—it is a signal of revival. Yet, that return also comes with a fresh set of challenges.
The most immediate is squad depth. Competing across multiple competitions—Premier League, domestic cups, and Europe—demands more than just a strong starting eleven. It requires depth, versatility, and tactical flexibility, especially given the physical and mental toll of a congested fixture list.
Nuno Espírito Santo is well aware of this reality. Having taken Wolves into Europe during his spell there, he knows what it takes to manage such a campaign. And that understanding is reflected in Forest’s proactive transfer planning this summer.
Morgan Gibbs-White Attracts Attention – City Come Calling
One of Forest’s standout performers this season, Morgan Gibbs-White, has been the subject of increasing transfer speculation. The former Wolves man has enjoyed a stellar season, contributing with goals, assists, and creative leadership in the middle of the park. His versatility—able to play as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, or wide forward—has made him a crucial cog in Forest’s attacking blueprint.
Unsurprisingly, Manchester City have taken notice. With Pep Guardiola reportedly an admirer of Gibbs-White’s technical skill and tactical intelligence, the Etihad giants could make a serious move for the 24-year-old this summer. While Forest are not actively looking to sell their star man, every player has a price, and the interest from a club of City’s stature is difficult to ignore.
Behind the scenes, Forest are already laying the groundwork for a potential replacement, should Gibbs-White decide to depart. And that search has brought them full circle—to Manchester City itself.
Matheus Nunes – A Player of Real Pedigree and Promise
Enter Matheus Nunes. The 26-year-old Portuguese international is no stranger to the Premier League, having first made his mark in England with Wolves before securing a big-money move to Manchester City in the summer of 2023. His transfer fee—reported to be in the region of £53 million—reflected his reputation as one of the brightest midfield talents emerging from Portugal.
Nunes made a name for himself at Sporting CP, where his progressive passing, excellent dribbling, and work rate made him a standout performer in the Primeira Liga and the UEFA Champions League. A Portuguese journalist once called him “unbelievable”, a label that reflects the high regard in which he was held before arriving in England.
However, life at Manchester City has been mixed. Though Guardiola gave Nunes opportunities, he struggled to consistently break into the starting XI, making 18 Premier League starts in the 2024/25 season. In a team stacked with midfield talent—including De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Phil Foden—Nunes often found himself deployed in a variety of roles, including as a makeshift right-back.
Despite that, he made 67 appearances in total since arriving in England, contributing 4 goals and 15 assists—not extraordinary numbers, but respectable for a player often asked to play out of position. His technical quality remains beyond question.
A Perfect Tactical Fit for Nuno’s Forest?
One of the reasons Nunes could be such a valuable addition to Forest is his tactical versatility. While naturally a central midfielder—comfortable in both box-to-box and more advanced playmaking roles—he has also been used on the flanks and even in defensive positions. This versatility is invaluable to a manager like Nuno, who often adapts his formations and style depending on the opponent.
Should Gibbs-White depart, Nunes could step directly into his role behind the striker or slightly deeper in midfield, linking play, pressing high, and driving forward with the ball. In fact, his dribbling ability under pressure and vision in tight spaces make him particularly well-suited for high-intensity European matches, where space and time are at a premium.
Moreover, having worked under Guardiola, Nunes has improved his tactical awareness, positional discipline, and passing tempo—elements that would help elevate Forest’s midfield dynamics next season.
Financial Realities – The Elephant in the Room
While the footballing case for Nunes is strong, the financial side of the deal presents clear challenges. Nunes is currently on a reported wage of £130,000 per week, a figure significantly higher than Forest’s current top earners. Bringing him to the City Ground would likely require either:
A restructuring of the wage structure to accommodate top-tier salaries;
A loan move with City covering a portion of his wages;
Or a Gibbs-White sale that frees up both salary budget and transfer funds.
Any of these scenarios would require careful negotiation and risk analysis. But if Forest are serious about transitioning into a consistent top-10 Premier League side and a European competitor, these are the types of financial hurdles they must begin to navigate.
There’s also the matter of competition. Should City officially put Nunes on the market, other European clubs—including Portuguese giants or mid-table Premier League sides—could enter the fray.
What This Move Signals About Forest’s Ambition
Regardless of whether Forest ultimately succeed in bringing Nunes to the City Ground, the very pursuit of a player of his caliber marks a seismic shift in ambition for the club.
In past seasons, Forest’s transfer strategy focused on sheer volume and short-term squad balance, sometimes with mixed results. But now, under Nuno Espírito Santo’s leadership, there appears to be a more focused, strategic vision. Signing Nunes wouldn’t just be about filling a gap—it would be a statement to fans, rivals, and prospective signings that Forest are building something substantial.
A midfield trio of Danilo, Sangaré, and Nunes, for example, would offer athleticism, technical skill, and tactical fluidity—something few mid-table clubs could match. Add in the attacking thrust of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Anthony Elanga, and potentially a new striker, and Forest could be genuinely competitive in Europe.
Final Thoughts – A Deal Worth Chasing
In the end, the possible transfer of Matheus Nunes to Nottingham Forest represents more than just a summer signing. It encapsulates the club’s new identity: ambitious, modern, and forward-thinking.
Forest are no longer just a club aiming to survive the Premier League—they are aiming to compete, evolve, and reclaim a place among Europe’s respected names. Whether this move materializes or not, the message is clear: Nottingham Forest are on the rise. And the football world is beginning to take notice.