Fawaz Al-Hasawi appears to be trying to keep the Nottingham Forest squad together for the time being.
Nottingham Forest supporters were understandably wary of getting ahead of themselves when much-maligned owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi claimed that talented midfielder Matty Cash would not be going anywhere despite The Sun claiming that Chelsea were preparing to launch a sensational £5 million swoop.
Karl Darlow, Jamaal Lascelles and Oliver Burke, the club’s perceived ‘next generation’, had all been sold under their manager’s feet in recent seasons so the fans were not exactly tipping Cash to stick around if a decent offer came through the door.
However, Joe Worrall, the ever-improving centre-back linked with Everton and Stoke, as reported by The Mirror, extended his Forest stay until 2020, as did midfielder Ryan Yates.
And according to the Nottingham Post, the club are also preparing to secure Cash to a new deal. It would be hugely premature to portray Al-Hasawi as a changed man, Cash and Worrall (below) will surely be sold eventually, but the fact is that Forest appear to be building for the future.
Zach Clough, Aaron Tshibola, Gboly Ariyibi and Joao Teixeira, all aged between 21 and 22, arrived at the City Ground in January while Forest’s head honcho has insisted that the club has no interest in selling prodigious forward Ben Brereton despite reported Premier League interest.
Whether or not Fawaz is simply attempting to increase Cash and Worrall’s price tags by lengthening their contracts, Forest fans can at least take a little solace in knowing that there seems to be something of a plan in place.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
