Braian Ojeda and Richie Laryea could leave Nottingham Forest on loan, according to The Athletic, while the Premier League newcomers are unlikely to make a fourth bid for Derby County’s Lee Buchanan.
With so many key players facing uncertain futures at the City Ground, Forest have no time to waste as Steve Cooper, Dane Murphy and co look to build on the foundations laid down by May’s play-off final victory over Huddersfield Town at Wembley.
In £17.5 million Taiwo Awoniyi, Nottingham Forest look set to replace the out-of-contract Lewis Grabban with a man who scored 15 Bundesliga goals in 2021/22. Dean Henderson could take the place of the wantaway fans’ favourite Brice Samba between the sticks.
Moussa Niakhate, meanwhile, will add depth, speed and leadership at the back. According to reports, Forest have now entered talks with Venezia’s Domen Crnigoj, a potential successor for Lewis Grabban in the centre of the park.
Nottingham Forest made three bids for Derby County’s Lee Buchanan
It’s been a busy couple of days for Forest, and the flurry of activity is unlikely to slow down any time soon.
Where there is incomings, however, there will inevitably be outgoings. And we don’t just mean Samba, Garner or Grabban. Or, for that matter, Djed Spence, Keinan Davis or Philip Zinckernagel.
The Athletic believe that Ojeda and Laryea – two players who started just four Championship games between them under Chris Hughton and Steve Cooper – are likely to be made available on loan. The talented, elegant Ojeda will fall further down the pecking order should the similarly forward-thinking Crnigoj arrive.
Forest’s ambitious pursuit of Ajax and Argentina full-back Nicolas Tagliafico, meanwhile, will not do Laryea’s hopes of a more regular role much good. The right-footed Laryea played plenty of football as a left-back for former employers Toronto FC.
One player unlikely to join Awoniyi and co at the City Ground, The Athletic say, is 21-year-old Buchanan. Forest reportedly made three bids in previous windows. for the Derby academy graduate and England U21 defender.
It is understood, however, that East Midland rivals Derby have now activated a clause in Buchanan’s contract. A clause that should keep him at Pride Park for the upcoming League One campaign. Per The Sun, Buchanan is valued by The Rams at £2 million.
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