Two free agents Nottingham Forest will be looking forward to confirmed the arrivals after signing was made…
Nottingham Forest’s summer transfer window stood out for a number of reasons amid a careful and considered approach.
The signings made have strengthened Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad and can provide the “options” the head coach craved. Just as important for the Portuguese was the fact the Reds retained their key players, despite plenty of interest in them from elsewhere.
But Nuno will also be pleased that numbers have been trimmed. He prefers to work with a small group, and Forest did a lot of work on moving fringe players on as part of that.
Below, we take a look at what has happened to the players who left the City Ground this summer. We have not included players who remain on the club’s books and have gone out on loan.
Wayne Hennessey:Released by the Reds at the end of his contract and is still without a club, although has been recovering from an Achilles’ injury this summer.
Before he was axed as Wales manager, Rob Page suggested the goalkeeper would be sidelined for some time. He told the BBC in May: “Wayne’s left the club and will be looking at what the future holds for him. It’s a significant injury, it’s not a quick fix. It is not going to be a month turnaround. We are looking at months, not weeks for a senior player like that.”
Felipe: Back in March, the defender indicated his plans to retire at the end of the campaign. He has said the desire to spend time with his family was a key factor in his decision, although he wouldn’t rule out a return to the sport in some capacity.
Cheikhou Kouyate: Still a free agent after his Reds deal expired, the midfielder is yet to find himself another club. There has been no word on what could be next for the 34-year-old.
Harry Arter: Will be near the top of the list of Forest transfer flops for many fans. Finally departed this summer when his contract expired, after his last competitive game for the club was back in January 2021. Yet to seal a new move.
Scott McKenna: Signed a three-year deal with Spanish side Las Palmas as a free agent last month. One of the promotion heroes, he will always be highly thought of at the City Ground.
“Obviously, it’s quite a lot different to what I was used to,” the defender told The Scotsman of his move. “But it was just something that really excited me. The opportunity to play abroad, especially in La Liga, was something I couldn’t turn down.
“To be honest, I was open to anything. The opportunity came to go to Spain which as a league, behind the Premier League, is up there with the best of them. So I felt like I had to take the opportunity to go and experience this opportunity to play in some of the top stadiums in the world.”
