The sound of the final whistle in yesterday’s meeting with Bournemouth was undoubtedly a welcome one for Nottingham Forest fans, given the tumultuous nature of the 2025/26 campaign.
Four managers and a relegation battle sums up the campaign for the Reds, but Vitor Pereira deserves huge credit for keeping the club in the Premier League.
The 57-year-old, who’s set to pen a new deal at the City Ground, will have a huge summer ahead to try and work with the players in his squad to take them to the next level.
However, a host of senior members will no doubt be moved on during the upcoming transfer window to raise funds for any new additions before the 2026/27 campaign.
As is always the case with Forest, summer additions are to be expected in the East Midlands, with numerous players already being touted with big-money transfers.
Nottingham Forest advancing deal for £30m star this summer
In an attempt to mount a push for European football once again next term, Forest appear to be eyeing up a couple of top-level talents to aid their chances of success.
Inter Milan star Davide Frattesi, who was on the club’s radar last January, has once again been on the hierarchy’s shortlist ahead of the summer window.
The Italian midfielder could be allowed to leave the San Siro during the off-season, with a fee in the region of £30m mooted for the 26-year-old’s signature.
He’s not the only player currently in the Reds’ sights at present, with Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney once again appearing in the recruitment team’s plans.
Like Frattesi, the 23-year-old was hugely linked with a move to the City Ground in January, with TEAMtalk now reporting a fresh move could well be in the pipeline this summer.
They claim that after Boro’s inability to secure promotion this weekend, Forest are planning to advance a potential deal to secure the midfielder’s signature.
It’s also reported that a Premier League move is a near certainty for Hackney, leading to a price tag of £25m being mooted for the former England U21 international.
Forest are preparing an offer and they are due to accelerate discussions to sign the player.
Why Hackney would be Nottingham Forest’s next Anderson
The hunt for a new midfielder this summer is no coincidence, as Nottingham Forest star man Elliot Anderson looks certain for a big-money transfer this window.
The England international has been constantly touted with a move to join the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City – with a £100m asking price mooted.
He appeared to be saying his goodbyes to the Reds faithful during the clash with Bournemouth on Sunday – subsequently receiving a standing ovation after being replaced in the 65th minute.
Even during his lap of appreciation, it felt like the end for Anderson, who will no doubt go down as one of the club’s best pieces of business should he depart for the rumoured price tag.
However, replacing a player of the 23-year-old’s calibre will be a ridiculously tricky task for the hierarchy, but it appears as though Hackney is the number one target to fill Anderson’s void.
Even though he’s yet to get a taste of Premier League football, he’s showcased at Middlesbrough this campaign that he can be Forest’s next top-level operator.
Hackney, who’s been dubbed “sensational” by journalist Scott Wilson, has completed the most forward passes of any player in England’s second tier this season.
Such a quality has been evident in Anderson’s play this campaign, with the Reds’ number eight often being the tempo setter at the heart of the club’s midfield.
£30m would be yet another huge investment from the hierarchy, but it’s a deal that could reap huge rewards in the years ahead if he can emulate Anderson’s success.
Whilst it’s not confirmed Anderson will be departing, the feeling is that a sale will happen this summer – potentially seeing a record fee for an Englishman being set in the process.