Summer 2024 transfers

Probably the likeliest, but I'd still prefer Nico. He's younger and has plenty of opportunity to become better. We have such a young team, if we keep most of it together I think there's plenty of reason to be optimistic.

Doesn’t seem like Nuno rates Dominguez, I’m expecting him to leave this summer.

I wouldn’t be signing Barkley anyway - feels like a one off season at the end of his career, when it happened to be at the right club at the right time. Will probably convince someone to pay him more than he’s worth for little effect.

I dunno, I think he might stay at Luton. He's made good money but never really got his career going, this is his chance to properly settle somewhere with a team built around him.

Mangala

Nico Williams and Dominguez play in totally different positions no? Not sure there's any comparison to be made there.

Not just different positions, but totally different clubs.

Don't try and be a smart arse unless you're very sure of the ground you're on...

What? I've actually no idea what you're on about.

Is that guy you originally mentioned also called Nico? I'll go Google....

Nico Williams is a Spanish winger who plays for Atletic Bilbao.

Neco Williams is a Welsh full back who plays for Forest.

Nico Dominguez is an Argentine midfielder who plays for Forest.

Harry Arter.

I could do just a good a job of replacing Harry Arter.

Because I think there’ll be offers for MGW this summer and because I think he’ll be keen to leave if so. The forest project they sold him hasn’t quite worked out how he hoped and Cooper’s gone now anyway.
And because I think Barkley is a class act who has shown he can stay fit at last. Without him I reckon Luton would’ve been nowhere near the position they’re even in now.
And he’s only 30 so not at the end of his career yet.

Got it. You're saying you'd prefer Nico Dominguez to Barkley from Luton. I see.

I am. I thought you were being a smart arse. Apologies if it was just me not being clear.

So, by my reckoning, these are the current players who are contracted into next season:

Sels, Turner, Vlachodimos
Williams, Toffolo
Niakhate, Omobamidele, Murillo
Yates, Danilo, Sangare, Dominguez
MGW, Hudson-Odoi, Elanga, Konate
Awoniyi, Wood

Goalkeepers aside, that's a pretty solid 17 to start from. Obviously need to replace Vlachodimos with a cheaper third choice and, if we can, upgrade Turner or Sels. Most pressing needs are full-backs and at least one commanding centre half but after that, it's what you can get.

These are the players out of contract or returning loans:

Hennessey
Aina (maybe), Montiel, Tavares
Boly, Felipe, McKenna
Kouyate, Arter
Reyna, Bowler (apparently)
Origi, Rodrigo.

Not too many to keep there. Obviously, if it's not already done, we should be extending Aina. Nuno likes Tavares but we can surely do better (I saw Lodi wanted out of Saudi). Boly has been great when he's played but he can't stay fit, so we need to find an equivalent who can. I expect Rodrigo to sign permanently because otherwise, his signing seems completely pointless for all concerned (and he wouldn't be counted for the 25 next season).

These have got outbound loans ending:

Back, Richards
Mbe Soh, Panzo, Worrall
Freuler, Mangala, O'Brien
Aguilera, Mighten
Dennis, Hwang, Taylor.

Much as I love Joe, his time here is clearly up. Would take Mangala back but I think that's unlikely. Nuno might want a look at Dennis, no idea how he's done at Watford. Otherwise, it's further loans or sales because none of them seem remotely ready for a premier league season (Richards, I guess, if he seemed fit, we had squad space and signed another specialist left back).

Surely Nelson Abbey will be heading our way? No idea if he's ready for the big league or not, but you'd assume that's the intended pathway for him.