Nottingham Forest have a secret weapon up their sleeve, he joined nine months ago
Nottingham Forest Preparing for Busy Summer Ahead of European Campaign
Nottingham Forest are gearing up for an active summer in the transfer market as they prepare to compete in the UEFA Conference League next season.
The club is on the verge of signing striker Igor Jesus from Botafogo. He’s expected to be joined in Nottingham by left-back Cuiabano and central defender Jair Cunha, with Forest once again turning to South America as a key market for recruitment.
Despite this flurry of activity, the current squad at the City Ground is in good shape.
Goalkeeper Matz Sels and centre-back Nikola Milenkovic delivered solid performances last season, Elliot Anderson showed reliability in midfield, and Chris Wood led the line superbly with 20 goals in the 2024/25 campaign.
Some Departures on the Horizon
A few players are set to move on. Danilo is heading to Lyon, while Harry Toffolo and Willy Boly are expected to find new clubs following the expiration of their contracts.
David Carmo Set to Return to Forest
One notable addition will be the return of central defender David Carmo. According to Sportime in Greece, Olympiacos will not retain the Portuguese defender, paving the way for his return to Forest for pre-season training.
Forest invested £10 million in Carmo before loaning him to Olympiacos for a second spell. The move paid dividends—he played a key role in helping the Greek side lift the UEFA Conference League title and also contributed to a domestic league and cup double.
The 25-year-old made 35 appearances in his second season with Olympiacos and now has his sights set on impressing Nuno Espirito Santo ahead of the new campaign.
Centre-Back Options Create Selection Dilemma
With Milenkovic and Murillo established as first-choice defenders, competition for a starting role will be fierce. If Forest opt for a three-man defence, however, decisions will need to be made.
While Morato was dependable off the bench—Forest never dropped points when he was subbed in—questions remain over his consistency when starting matches.
New signing Jair Cunha could be retained in the squad, and academy product Zach Abbott is also emerging as a promising option.
With Carmo’s return, Forest now have a crowded pool of central defenders, meaning some will likely depart, either on loan or permanently.
That said, Carmo’s experience and success in European competition make him a valuable asset. Forest would be wise not to rush any decisions about his future.
If given the opportunity, he could play a significant role in the upcoming season and provide added depth to Espirito Santo’s defensive options.
