Forest Target Right-Back and Striker Before Window Closes

Transfer Window Focus

Coach Oliver Glasner confirmed that Nottingham Forest will secure a right-back and a striker before the 11pm September 1 deadline. The Reds have already strengthened their squad with midfielder Xaver Schlager, defender Ousmane Diomande and backup goalkeeper Steven Benda. The club had earlier targeted Tottenham Hotspur’s Lucas Bergvall, but Glasner said the idea of further midfield reinforcement has been put on the backburner.

Reaction to Leeds Defeat

The 1-0 loss to Leeds United on opening day did not change Glasner’s transfer outlook. “No, it stays the same,” he said. He warned that judging players after one game would be panic. He praised the team’s performance, noting that the club had seen good signs in defence and set-piece play. He also highlighted the need to create more scoring opportunities.

Player Availability

Glasner mentioned that some players, such as Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi, had long injuries and were not at peak fitness. He praised Murillo’s performance on Saturday, suggesting he should have been substituted earlier due to fatigue. Glasner said he trusts players’ self-assessment on the pitch and believes they can perform better with more minutes.

Upcoming Carabao Cup Match

Forest will host Leeds again in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night at 8pm. Glasner expressed optimism after analysing the first match, stating the team was stable defensively and that the game was a “first-score-wins” scenario. He said the next match offers another chance to secure a win.

Transfer Confidence

Despite the defeat, Glasner remains confident that the two targeted players will arrive before the window closes. He said, “I’m even more confident today than I was on Saturday that we will have these two players in before the end of the transfer window.” He declined to name the players.

Summary of Moves

Nottingham Forest’s summer signings: Xaver Schlager (midfielder), Ousmane Diomande (defender), Steven Benda (goalkeeper). Targeted positions for the window: right-back and striker. Deadline: 11pm September 1. Key players awaiting return: Murillo, Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Final Note

The club’s focus remains on securing the right-back and striker before the transfer deadline, with Glasner confident the signings will materialise before the window closes.