Nottingham Forest transfer briefing: Latest on scrap for Jean-Philippe Mateta, the back-up options if that deal falls through, what the bid for Yasin Ayari reveals and what impending fine means for player sales

Nottingham Forest enter a crucial few days as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the transfer window closing on Monday. 

Who they get through the door could prove the difference between a relegation scrap and mid-table security and could affect their chances of glory in Europe. 

Our Forest expert TOM COLLOMOSSE brings you all the lastest you need to know on the comings and goings at the City Ground. 

Will Forest sign Jean-Philippe Mateta?

Since Forest made their initial offer for Mateta, worth about £35million, they have made several follow-up bids, all of which have been rejected by Palace. The Frenchman has now expressed a preference to join AC Milan, who have proposed allowing him to remain on loan at Palace until the summer. 

Palace want to have a new man through the door before they let their current No 9 go and have opted to back away from the deal with Wolves to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen for at least £45m. 

Forest did not want Mateta, 28, simply to ensure they stay in the Premier League, though.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis is thinking much bigger and thought Mateta, who has scored 55 goals across club and international football since the start of the 2023-24 season, could fire them to the Europa League title – which would guarantee a place in the Champions League next season.

So if not Mateta, then who?

Forest like Iran’s Mehdi Taremi but there is one significant problem: he plays for Olympiacos, another of the three clubs owned by Marinakis. That makes any deal politically difficult, especially with Olympiacos now in the play-off round of the Champions League. 

Can Marinakis really take a player away from one of his clubs, at such a key stage of the season, in order to strengthen another? Not without a replacement of similar quality and in January, such options are scarce.

If the Mateta deal does not happen, Forest may revisit this one – or turn to Strand Larsen if Palace opt to keep Mateta rather than signing the Norwegian to replace him. 

Youssef En-Nesyri, of Fenerbahce, is another option while Christopher Nkunku is likely to become available if Milan sign Mateta. Whether Nkunku would sign-up for a relegation fight is another matter, European football or otherwise. Three goals in two games for Igor Jesus, plus Taiwo Awoniyi’s strike at Brentford, have at least taken the pressure off a little.

Youssef En-Nesyri, of Fenerbahce, is another option that Forest are weighing up

What does the bid for Yasin Ayari tell us?

Daily Mail Sport broke the news on Thursday that Forest had offered £20m for Brighton midfielder Ayari – swiftly rejected by the club. Regardless of whether they sign the Sweden international now or in the summer, Forest are clearly starting to plan for life without Elliot Anderson.

Anderson has become a key man for England manager Thomas Tuchel and it feels inconceivable that he will still be at Forest next season, even if they can offer him Champions League football. He is a priority target for both Manchester United and Manchester City and is represented by one of the world’s most influential agencies. 

Forest are confident they can come close to the £100m mark for Anderson, which would solve any looming issues with Premier League and UEFA spending rules.

There has been a good deal of activity between Brighton and Forest this window, and it is worth remembering that Albion’s sporting director Jason Ayto used to work with Forest head of football Edu at Arsenal. Forest’s bid for Lewis Dunk was rejected and there have also been discussions about Jack Hinshelwood.

Forest’s bid for the Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari (right) suggests the club are starting to plan for life without Elliot Anderson

How are City Ground redevelopments progressing?

Forest are in a similar position to Aston Villa. Marinakis has the funds and ambition to challenge the wealthiest clubs in England. 

Yet in the world of PSR and SCR, revenue is king and unless Forest can find a way to make more money off the pitch, they will struggle to compete with the richest on it.

That is why Marinakis is determined to expand the City Ground and Daily Mail Sport understands the club will learn in April or May whether they will be able to proceed with those plans. 

If they get the green light, work can begin quickly and the club’s aim is to increase the capacity to 45,000 by the summer of 2030. Thereafter, they would look to take it above the 50,000 mark. 

The strong preference is to stay at the City Ground rather than move to a new site outside the city.

Where do Forest stand with PSR and SCR?

Last summer both Chelsea and Aston Villa were fined about £27m and £10m respectively for failing to comply with UEFA squad cost ratio rules, which dictate that a club can spend no more than 70 per cent of revenue on wages over a three-year period.

Daily Mail Sport understands Forest are braced for a penalty in the summer as 2025-26 was their first season in Europe for some time, and they had spent heavily on salaries in the previous two campaigns as they embarked on an ambitious recruitment campaign to establish themselves in the Premier League. 

Last summer they offered increased wages to a number of players, including Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams, Ola Aina and Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Defender Murillo is courted by Manchester United and could move on in the summer

The reality for clubs like Forest is that they will often have to sell top assets. Last summer it was Anthony Elanga, who moved to Newcastle for £55m. 

This summer, Anderson will surely leave and defender Murillo is also courted by Manchester United. 

Despite recently signing a new deal, the Brazilian is open to a transfer and it would be no surprise to see him move on too.