🔴 Nottingham Forest’s Summer Rebuild: A Season-Defining Transfer Window in Full Motion
📌 Table of Contents:
- Introduction: The Stakes for Forest
- The Departure of Anthony Elanga
- Morgan Gibbs-White: Forest’s Crown Jewel at a Crossroads
- The Strategy Under Nuno Espirito Santo
- Transfer Targets:
Jacob Ramsey
James McAtee
Christopher Nkunku
- Why Nkunku Could Be a Game-Changer
- Tactical Impact: Nkunku in Nuno’s System
- Nkunku vs Gibbs-White: A Deep Statistical and Stylistic Comparison
- The Financial Angle: FFP, Chelsea’s Situation, and Forest’s Budget
- Forest Fans React: A Statement of Ambition
- What Could Go Wrong?
- Final Thoughts: Forest’s Biggest Summer in Years
🧭 1. Introduction: The Stakes for Forest
Nottingham Forest are approaching a critical juncture in their Premier League project. After narrowly avoiding relegation in back-to-back campaigns, and after being hit with a points deduction in the 2024/25 season due to Financial Fair Play breaches, Evangelos Marinakis and the club’s hierarchy appear determined to reset the narrative — not just to survive in the top flight, but to establish Forest as a stable, ambitious, and competitive Premier League outfit.
This summer transfer window is about much more than filling holes — it’s about redefining the footballing identity under manager Nuno Espirito Santo, and potentially ushering in a new attacking core.
❌ 2. The Departure of Anthony Elanga
Anthony Elanga, who arrived from Manchester United and showed glimpses of his pace and directness, has now officially left the club, leaving Forest without a dynamic winger who offered width and verticality. His exit was relatively under-the-radar but leaves Forest short on wide attackers.
While Elanga’s consistency was questionable, his presence opened space for others — and his departure suggests Forest are leaning toward a new attacking shape, possibly more narrow and centrally focused, depending on who comes in.
⚖️ 3. Morgan Gibbs-White: Forest’s Crown Jewel at a Crossroads
Morgan Gibbs-White remains the key storyline of Forest’s summer. The former Wolves man has been Forest’s talisman since joining, registering goals, assists, and vital creative influence. But that influence comes with visibility — and several top-tier clubs have taken notice.
🔁 Transfer Interest:
Tottenham Hotspur – Have been tracking him for months. See him as a potential successor to James Maddison or as part of an attacking midfield rotation.
Manchester City – While not urgent suitors, Pep Guardiola’s admiration for multi-functional English players keeps the door open.
🧠 Marinakis’ Preference:
If Gibbs-White is to leave, Marinakis would prefer it be to Manchester City, possibly to maintain a positive relationship and potentially gain access to City’s academy talent, such as James McAtee.
The estimated price tag is £40–£50 million, a figure that would help Forest comply with FFP and reinvest heavily.
🧩 4. Strategy Under Nuno Espirito Santo: Rebuild With Precision
Nuno Espirito Santo is not a scattergun manager. His time at Wolves showed a preference for system-driven recruitment, targeting players who:
Work hard out of possession
Thrive in counter-attacking or structured build-up systems
Are tactically disciplined and physically capable
Forest’s links to players like Jacob Ramsey and Christopher Nkunku suggest a shift toward more mobile, technical midfielders and forwards who can contribute to both goals and chance creation. This is a key evolution for a side that was too reliant on isolated moments from Gibbs-White and Awoniyi last season.
🎯 5. Transfer Targets: Ambition Meets Opportunity
🔁 Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa)
Age: 23
Premier League Pedigree
Box-to-box profile with the ability to break lines
Reported interest from Forest is genuine, with Nuno a fan of Ramsey’s style.
Villa may consider selling to stay compliant with financial rules after their own spending.
🌍 James McAtee (Manchester City)
Age: 21
Known as the “Salford Silva” for his silky playmaking
Had a mixed loan at Sheffield United, but remains a high-potential talent
Bundesliga clubs (Dortmund and Frankfurt) are currently leading the chase
Forest are still hopeful, but likely need to move fast or include City in a Gibbs-White deal
🔥 6. Why Christopher Nkunku Could Be a Game-Changer
The big headline: Forest are actively exploring a move for Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku.
🚨 Fabrizio Romano Update:
Nkunku is “almost guaranteed” to leave Chelsea this summer.
Valuation: Just £22 million, down from previous estimates of £40–50m.
Enzo Maresca has no plans to build around him, despite his productivity when fit.
Forest are interested, though Romano did not specifically name them as front-runners yet.
🧠 Why This Matters:
Nkunku, when fit, is a top-level European attacker. He’s versatile, intelligent, and proven at RB Leipzig and PSG before his Chelsea stint. Though his time at Stamford Bridge was disrupted by injury, his goal return remains impressive.
⚙️ 7. Tactical Impact: Nkunku in Nuno’s System
Nkunku could be deployed in several ways at Forest:
As a #10 in a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-1-2
As a second striker next to Awoniyi
As a false nine or inverted winger
He offers:
Vertical running
One-touch combinations
Late box arrivals
Goal threat from midfield
Unlike Gibbs-White, who often drops deep to orchestrate, Nkunku is more about final third penetration, which might suit a team looking to be more ruthless and direct.
📊 8. Nkunku vs Gibbs-White: Deep Dive
Metric Morgan Gibbs-White Christopher Nkunku
Age 25 27
2024/25 Goals 6 15
Assists 8 5
xG + xA (per 90) 0.49 0.71
Shot-Creating Actions/90 3.8 4.2
Key Passes per 90 2.4 2.1
Progressive Carries/90 5.9 4.3
Pressures/90 15.1 13.7
Conclusion:
Gibbs-White is a better all-around creator. Nkunku is a better goal threat and more dangerous off the ball. Both are high-level players, but Nkunku could offer a more explosive, match-winning dimension.
💰 9. The Financial Angle: Can Forest Afford Nkunku?
Forest have been under the microscope with FFP constraints, but:
Gibbs-White’s sale would provide a cash injection
Elanga’s exit frees up wages
Chelsea are desperate to sell and reduce their wage bill, and they may accept structured payments or loan-to-buy options
At £22m, Nkunku would be a bargain in today’s market — especially when lesser players are moving for £30m+.
❤️ 10. Forest Fans React: A Statement of Ambition
Forest fans on social media have welcomed the Nkunku links, with some calling it:
“The most exciting potential signing in years”
“A statement that we belong in the top half”
“An actual upgrade on Gibbs-White”
For a club that was battling relegation months ago, this move would show unprecedented ambition.
⚠️ 11. What Could Go Wrong?
Several hurdles remain:
Nkunku’s injury record is a concern (missed 3 months last season)
Forest may face competition from European clubs or Saudi sides
Chelsea may prefer a club in Europe
Forest must stay within FFP rules, especially after last year’s deduction
If Nkunku joins, Forest must ensure they can provide the supporting structure for him to thrive — both tactically and medically.
🏁 12. Final Thoughts: Forest’s Biggest Summer in Years
Nottingham Forest are at a turning point. Lose Gibbs-White and fail to replace him adequately, and they could slide back toward relegation trouble. But sell high and reinvest wisely — especially in a talent like Christopher Nkunku — and they could **elevate their standing