Nottingham Forest managed to stave off relegation last season, thanks largely to the form of several January loan signings.
One of those was Filip Krovinovic who signed from Benfica having been sent back from a spell at West Brom.
James Garner and Glenn Murray were also signed, with all three players having some impact on the team.
Many supporters wanted Krovinovic added to the ranks on a permanent basis.
He was deemed surplus by Benfica and given the go-ahead to sign for another club during the summer transfer window.
Forest were keen for a little while but he ultimately chose to head back to Croatia, signing for Hajduk Split.
After a pretty slow start to life back in his homeland, he’s not starting to showcase his class for his new club.
Krovinovic has scored three goals and claimed three assists during 2021/22 and his performances are now catching the eye.
Hajduk are up to fourth in the domestic league and the former Forest man is starting to shine in the number 10 role.
It was perhaps no surprise that Forest didn’t land Krovinovic. Philip Zinckernagel was added on loan and Brennan Johnson returned from a loan spell at Lincoln.
That left the Reds in need of strengthening elsewhere and in the meantime, Krovinovic was offered the chance to head home.
Options: Did Forest miss a trick with Krovinovic?
Not really. Although he was pretty useful for Forest last season, he hardly set the Championship on fire in terms of goals or assists.
Forest have found a real gem in Zinckernagel, despite him being on loan and Johnson looks like a player who could go all the way to the top.
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Krovinovic at 26-years-old might not have been a bad signing but his wage wouldn’t have made him a cheap addition.
As a result, the Reds were probably better off out of the chase to sign their former loanee during the summer.