Since Nottingham Forest have been promoted to the Premier League, they have signed 47 players. This includes the three signings that were made in this year’s January transfer window. The majority of Forest’s January window was focused on outgoings and balancing the bloated squad and wage bill.
John Percy reported on January 16 that Forest were aiming for a “net zero” window to show the Premier League that they are taking the new Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) seriously. They were charged on January 15 for breaching PSR and face a potential points deduction later in the season. Taking this into account, let’s look at who has left the club since the beginning of 2024.
Nottingham Forest Departures in 2024
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Nottingham Forest Loan Departures
Orel Mangala was the most high-profile loan departure on February 1, joining Lyon. The deal is an initial loan with an option to buy after the conclusion of this campaign. Colin Millar of The Athletic said that the deal “could be worth up to £30 million, including add-ons.”
Forest’s captain and homegrown defender, Joe Worrall, has also left the club. Worrall secured a loan move to Besiktas until the end of the season on February 5, with an option to make the transfer permanent in the summer.
On January 30, Jonathan Panzo made the made the switch to Standard Liège until the end of the season.
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Emmanuel Dennis was also prematurely recalled from a loan spell in Turkey after joining Istanbul Basaksehir in September. Dennis only made eight appearances for Basaksehir without registering a goal or an assist. The Nigerian striker has now returned to Watford on loan, where he previously scored 10 goals in the 2021/22 Premier League season.
Scott McKenna also departed late in the window, joining Copenhagen on loan. McKenna’s contract ends in the summer, and he has played his last game for the Tricky Trees. The Scottish defender joined the Tricky Trees in 2020 and was a member of the squad that gained promotion to the Premier League in 2021/22. In the promotion campaign, McKenna was voted the supporters’ player of the season.
Deadline day saw two young Forest players leave on loan to join clubs in League One. Alex Mighten signed for Port Vale until the end of the term, and Brandon Aguilera departed to join Bristol Rovers. Aguilera scored on his Rovers debut on Saturday, February 3, in a 1-0 win against Exeter City.
Nottingham Forest Permanent Departures
Andrey Santos struggled for game time during his loan spell. He made only two appearances for the Reds, which meant he was recalled by Chelsea early in the January window.
Gustavo Scarpa departed the East Midlands club for a fee after joining on a permanent transfer in January 2023. Scarpa was on loan at Olympiacos, however his impact was limited, meaning he was recalled. On January 11, the Brazilian midfielder left to join Atletico Mineiro for a deal “worth around £4 million”, according to Paul Taylor of The Athletic.
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Ethan Horvath was another member of the promotion squad in 2021/22. Deadline day saw him move to Championship Cardiff City on a permanent transfer.
The most recent departure was Serge Aurier, who moved to Galatasaray on a permanent deal on February 2. Aurier was integral to Forest’s survival in the Premier League last season, making 24 appearances.
Hwang to Follow
Fabrizio Romano also reported that Alanyaspor are on the verge of signing Forest striker Hwang Ui-Jo on loan. Romano said: “Hwang has already accepted the destination and he’s leaving.”
