coach Nuno Espirito Santo eyeing January Reinforcements for European Push

 

As the January transfer window draws near, Nottingham Forest are keeping a keen eye on potential signings to bolster their squad for a strong second half of the Premier League season. With ambitions of securing European football for next season, strengthening their attacking options seems to be a priority. The club’s current forward line, led by Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi, has been a mixed bag, prompting speculation about who could join in January.

Chris Wood: The Premier League’s Latest Sensation

New Zealand international Chris Wood has been one of the standout performers for Forest this season. With eight goals in 12 Premier League appearances, Wood has made a strong impact in a relatively short time since joining the club. His physicality, aerial prowess, and poaching instincts have made him a key figure in Steve Cooper’s attack. Given Forest’s aspirations of securing a European spot, Wood’s form will be crucial in the coming months.

Taiwo Awoniyi: Struggling for Form

While Wood has impressed, Taiwo Awoniyi’s season has been less fruitful. The Nigerian forward has only featured for a total of 169 minutes in the Premier League so far,

with no goals to his name. This lack of consistent output has raised concerns, and many are questioning whether Forest need to add another striker in January to complement or replace Awoniyi in the squad.

The January Transfer Window: Who Could Join Forest?

As Forest look to strengthen their attacking options, one name that has recently come up is Brighton & Hove Albion’s highly-rated striker, Evan Ferguson. The 19-year-old has been one of the breakout stars of the Premier League this season, scoring five goals in 10 appearances. With his stock rising, there has been significant speculation that Ferguson could be on the move in January, and Brighton are reportedly open to loaning him out to gain more first-team experience.

Brighton’s Stance: Ferguson Not Going to Forest

However, it seems that Nottingham Forest won’t be in the running for Ferguson’s services. According to Graeme Bailey, speaking exclusively to *Nottingham Forest News*, Brighton are unlikely to send Ferguson to Forest, given the attacking depth already at the club. “I don’t think Ferguson is in Forest’s thinking,” Bailey stated. He further elaborated that if Forest were to pursue Ferguson, they would need to rethink other potential deals or make space by cancelling some existing agreements—neither of which appears to be on their agenda at the moment.

Bailey also pointed out that Ferguson would likely struggle to displace Chris Wood in Forest’s starting XI, making the move less appealing for both parties. Ferguson is expected to be sent out on loan to a club where he can secure regular playing time, something he would struggle to achieve at Forest given the competition for places in the attacking department.

The Bigger Picture: Forest’s Transfer Plans

While a move for Ferguson seems off the table, Nottingham Forest will still likely be active in the January transfer window as they look to maintain their push for European football. With Wood’s form being a key asset in their attack, Forest could look to add a forward who offers a different style of play to complement the Kiwi striker. The club has been linked with a variety of players in recent weeks, including reports of scouts attending matches to monitor the performances of promising young talents.

Additionally, it’s clear that Steve Cooper and the Forest hierarchy are aiming to strike a balance between bolstering their squad while being mindful of the impact on their existing players. As Bailey noted, deals involving players like James Ward-Prowse or Pau Moreno could potentially take priority if Forest choose to strengthen other areas of the squad.