To think, some were framing Nottingham Forest’s inability to sign a striker before August’s transfer deadline as the mistake which would lead to their downfall.
Still unbeaten after five matchdays thanks to Ramon Sosa’s equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team are certainly not looking or playing like a side in danger of the drop right now.
And while a record of six goals from five matches doesn’t exactly suggest that Nottingham Forest can afford to get too carried away just yet, Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi – when fit – are a match for most Premier League backlines.
So maybe all the fuss over the lack of centre-forward signings was, in hindsight, a little overblown.
Nottingham Forest tried and failed to sign Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt. They made an offer for Eddie Nketiah – now at Crystal Palace – and had a £25 million bid rejected by Brentford for Yoane Wissa.
Santiago Gimenez came closer than most.
HITC reported last month that Feyenoord had accepted an offer rising to £30 million for Gimenez. The Mexico international got cold feet, however, before opting to stay put with the 2023 Eredivisie champions.
A decision which, right now, looks to be more Gimenez’s loss than Forest’s.
Santiago Gimenez stretchered off after failed Nottingham Forest move
The former Cruz Azul ace – HITC understands Gimenez was also on Tottenham Hotspur’s radar before they opted for Dominic Solanke – was stretchered off with his head in his hands eyes during Sunday’s 2-0 win over NAC Breda.
A tense hush descending over De Kuip, Gimenez appeared to jar the back of his leg as he competed for the ball.
There has been no confirmation yet regarding the severity of his injury.
But a Feyenoord side already in a difficult place following the departure of Arne Slot – they lost 4-0 at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League three days ago – will be praying for some welcome good news as fears grow that Gimenez could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Gimenez turned down Premier League switch
Following the close of the window, Feyenoord director Dennis te Kloese explained that Gimenez had doubts about a switch to Nottingham Forest.
“I think that he was not 100 per cent convinced about Nottingham Forest,” Te Kloese told ESPN. “And we, as a club were not 100 per cent convinced about a transfer to Nottingham Forest.
“And that is why we decided to sit down with him and his management [and say]; ‘Well, we are just going to continue [together].’
“I am not sad about it at all.”
Three weeks on, that feeling of relief amongst Feyenoord fans is quickly turning to despondency.
As Nottingham Forest stunned Liverpool on their own hallowed Anfield turf last weekend, Feyenoord were held to a draw with newly-promoted FC Groningen.
Gimenez’s performance again left a lot to be desired, with former Ajax and PSV Eindhoven midfielder Kenneth Perez wondering if the Rotterdam giants may soon be kicking themselves having turned down £30 million for a striker who has seldom proven himself to be worthy of such a fee of late.
Gimenez’s form has taken a nosedive in 2024, after all. And there is no guarantee that, if his injury proves to be as serious as it first appeared, that he will be seen again until 2025.
In contrast, despite red cards for both Morgan Gibbs-White and manager Nuno in that thriller at Brighton, the atmosphere at Nottingham Forest could hardly be any more different.
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