Nottingham Forest might have to reassess their approach to the transfer market during the January window after a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Bournemouth.
The Reds were missing Callum Hudson-Odoi due to an injury. His absence was sorely felt and with Forest being linked with attackers, perhaps things will now be cranked up somewhat.
Evangelos Marinakis has made no secret of his wish to sign a new forward. Several names have been linked with Forest and it remains to be seen whether things will burst into life or not.
Matheus Cunha is one of the names linked with a move to Forest. However, that could prove a tricky deal to do and instead, the Reds might have to look at more affordable options this month.
In order to sign some top stars before the window closes, others might have to depart. Emmanuel Dennis is being linked with Sheffield Wednesday and others might be on their way out too.
Lewis O’Brien wanted by clutch of EFL clubs
The race is heating up to prise O’Brien away from Forest before the transfer window closes. Now, according to Alan Nixon via his Patreon, Preston are the latest club to emerge as a potential suitor for the midfielder.
Burnley, Blackburn and Hull City are all keen on O’Brien. The player is currently back at Forest after a loan spell with Los Angeles FC in the MLS, with the American club unable to afford a permanent transfer.
O’Brien was signed by Forest in the summer of 2022 for £10 million from Huddersfield. He made 14 appearances for the Reds but wasn’t named in the 25-man squad for the second half of the 2022/23 campaign.
He spent time on loan with DC United and actually saw a loan move to Blackburn fall through that denied him the chance to continue his career in the Championship.
Last season, O’Brien was on loan with Middlesbrough where he impressed Michael Carrick. Again, however, they chose not to sign him and that saw him heading off to LA in the summer.
Forest need to let O’Brien go and must seek permanent deal
Keeping the midfielder at Forest is doing nobody any favours. The player is good enough to be playing regularly in the Championship and it makes perfect sense to get him out.
O’Brien is way down the pecking order at Forest. Nuno Espirito Santo did take a small look at him in pre-season but there was never going to be a way back for him in the Premier League squad.
The 26-year-old can count himself a little bit unlucky at Forest. He’s never really got a proper chance to shine and it’s a real shame that the move couldn’t have worked out better for him.
Another loan does feel likely this month. However, in a perfect world, Forest would be able to get O’Brien out of the club permanently and off the books in terms of wages once and for all.
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