Nuno plans for Joel Ndala revealed, truth behind Murillo bid – what’s going on at Nottingham Forest right now

Nuno plans for Joel Ndala revealed, truth behind Murillo bid – what’s going on at Nottingham Forest right now

Nottingham Forest concluded the transfer window with very little incoming business, but the importance of keeping hold of their main stars was rightly prioritised.

Transfer deadline day saw Tyler Bindon sign for Forest in a show of future planning by Evangelos Marinakis that was again emphasised by Forest’s deal to sign Joel Ndala from Manchester City.

Out the door went James Ward-Prowse, who was recalled by West Ham United but crucially, first-team stars such as Murillo and the prolific Chris Wood remained at Forest to see out the push for European football, with the club sat third in the Premier League table heading into the run-in.

In light of the January transfer window closing, Nottingham Forest News sat down with football expert, Graeme Bailey for a Q&A, discussing Forest’s transfer business as well as the reported interest in Murillo which could continue into the summer.

On Joel Ndala

• Ndala joined on an initial loan deal, with Forest having the option to buy in the summer.

Ndala is to be utilised in the Forest Academy for now but there are clearly high hopes for the winger, especially given how Ndala once outshone Ethan Nwaneri whilst playing for England.

On Ndala potentially breaking into the Forest first team, Graeme said… That is the hope clearly – they like him and rolled the dice on him, but he is one for the future for sure.

On Nuno Espirito Santo’s new contract

• Espirito Santo is set to be offered a new contract at Nottingham Forest

Graeme said… It is the diary for 2025 – they love his work, and he is very happy. I believe they will want him tied up by the summer but with this now crucial run-in, they won’t want to distract him unless he really wants it done now.

On how close Forest were to signing Matheus Cunha or Yoane Wissa

• Forest were rumoured to be looking at Cunha and Wissa in the January window

Graeme said… Not very at all – they like both players and made an approach for Wissa but it was testing Brentford’s resolve in that respect.

Forest were not actively looking but they would have taken the right player if he had come up – they are in a good place where it is quality over quantity.

On if Forest looked at signing a senior winger in January

• Alongside a striker, Forest were continuously linked with a wide midfielder

Marcus Edwards chose Burnley over Forest on deadline day, ending Forest’s chances of signing a senior wide option in January.

On the general interest in a winger, Graeme said… Not on deadline day, they made that clear from the off they were done and dusted. Maybe if they had allowed Awoniyi to leave, but that was never seriously considered.

On Chelsea’s interest in Murillo

• In the aftermath of deadline day, it was revealed that Chelsea had shown interest in Murillo

Graeme said… They were and are interested, but no bid was made – they asked the question but they are not alone in their admiration of Murillo – we know that every major club in Europe likes him.

However, with his new deal, there is little chance he moves this summer, although it won’t stop clubs from asking.

On the late interest in Elliot Anderson

• Elliot Anderson was reportedly the subject of deadline-day interest from Italian giants, AS Roma.

On the validity of the rumour, Graeme said… Not from my understanding, they are delighted with him and the player is thriving too – Anderson himself has little desire to seek pastures new.

On whether Forest will regret not spending big in January

• There was a thought that Forest could spend in January to help secure European football

Graeme said… For Forest to improve their starting XI they would have had to spend an awful lot of money and there were very few players available this month and to get them, that would have meant huge amounts spent.

I don’t see it as a risk at all.

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