Championship play-off finalists Nottingham Forest can now sign Luke Turner and Joe Rothwell for free after their respective contracts expired at Aberdeen and Blackburn Rovers.
Should Forest overcome Huddersfield Town at Wembley this weekend, you can expect big changes in the weeks and months to come. And we don’t just mean the scenery.
Regardless of whether the two-time European champions secure their long-awaited return to the promised land, a handful of key players are facing uncertain futures at the City Ground. Then again, such uncertainty that is the inevitable by-product of building a promotion-chasing squad on a foundation of short-term deals.
Djed Spence, Philip Zinckernagel, Keinan Davis, Max Lowe and James Garner will all depart on July 1st as things stand.
It remains to be seen if any of the aforementioned quintet will return for 2022/23, regardless of whether Steve Cooper and co are preparing for Luton or Liverpool, Middlesbrough or Manchester City.
One thing you can bet your house on, however, is that this will be a busy summer on Brian Clough Way. Nottingham Forest have been linked with a whole host of potential transfer targets. And it just so happens that two of those will be available for absolutely nothing.
Nottingham Forest want Joe Rothwell from Blackburn Rovers
A statement on Blackburn’s official website confirms that Joe Rothwell – one of the most exciting, technically-gifted central midfielders outside of the top-flight – will not be returning to Ewood Park. He turned down the chance to extend his contract at the 1995 top-flight champions.
According to The Telegraph, Nottingham Forest are planning to offer a contract to the one-time Rangers target. Though you can guarantee that there will be plenty of competition for a player also on the radars of West Brom and Sheffield United.
“We’ve been talking about how amazing Joe Rothwell is,” says former Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray. “His technique and his outstanding ability to run with the ball.
“He is the best in this league at running with the ball. And he’d be one of the best in the Premier League.
“Adama Traore and Saint-Maximin at Newcastle – there aren’t many people who can run with the ball like Joe Rothwell.”
If Rothwell is viewed as someone capable of immediately stepping into Cooper’s starting XI, then 19-year-old Turner is ‘one for the future’.
Aberdeen release Luke Turner
According to the Daily Record, Nottingham Forest have been impressed by Turner’s performances on loan at Cliftonville. Teenage centre-back recently won Northern Ireland’s Young Player of the Year award.
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“It’s always very tough when we have to inform our young players their future lies elsewhere,” says Barry Robson, Aberdeen’s Development Phase Manager, via the Press and Journal.
“But we believe we have given them the very best start in their footballing career here at Aberdeen. All these players have given their all during their time at the club. They have been a privilege to work with.”
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