Nottingham Forest summer transfer window: Targets, budget, and priority positions amidst Douglas Luiz, James McAtee interest

After a breakthrough campaign in which they booked a long-awaited return to Europe, Nottingham Forest had little time to reflect on their Champions League near-miss.

Having signed a whole squad's worth of players - and several more - since regaining their Premier League status in 2022, recruitment will be key as Forest try to compete on several fronts next season.

The Garibaldis have managed to keep Morgan Gibbs-White out of the clutches of Tottenham Hotspur, and Nuno Espirito Santo will be keen to make the most of him signing a new contract by strengthening, particularly ahead of the club's journey into the UEFA Europa League.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at Nottingham Forest's 2025 summer transfer window, including their top targets, priority positions, budget and most likely signings.

Nottingham Forest's top targets for 2025 summer transfer window

Qualifying for European football is sure to give Forest a boost in terms of attracting players to the club, and it is certain to have been a factor in getting talisman Gibbs-White to commit to the club - at least for one more season.

The pull of European football has aided further transfer business, because two more attacking recruits were introduced to the City Ground faithful at half time of their opening day win over Brentford, as Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee got a warm reception following moves from Ipswich Town and Manchester City, respectively.

After Anthony Elanga left to join Newcastle United for £52m, the Garibaldis also brought in winger Dan Ndoye from Bologna as a replacement in a club-record deal worth almost £40m as a replacement, and he made an instant impact, scoring the second goal in that 3-1 win over Brentford.

The club have also filled the gap left by Danilo, who was sold to Brazilian side Botafogo, thanks to the loan signing of former Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz.

The Brazilian was heavily linked with a return to the Premier League, and the Juventus man will now get the chance to prove himself in the competition once again. Forest have agreed to take Luiz on loan with a buy option of approximately £30m.

Nuno has been asking the club to sign a left-back this summer, and after reportedly having a bid rejected for Man City's Rico Lewis, the Garibaldis are set to complete a deal for Atletico Madrid's Javi Galan on deadline day.

Nottingham Forest budget for 2025 summer transfer window

One of the reasons Forest 'ex-owner' Evangelos Marinakis was so enraged by the prospect of Nuno's men missing out on the Premier League's top five was, quite naturally, financial.

With a smaller purse and slimmer league phase, qualification for the Europa League may not swell their coffers that much.

They also have a substantial wage budget - now set to increase due to bonuses - and any missteps could see them fall foul of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

The Reds have proven capable of selling and buying sagely in recent seasons, and they are expected to shell out approximately £180m overall once the window shuts, bolstered by Elanga's £55m exit.

Nottingham Forest's most likely signings for 2025 summer transfer window

Forest have already recruited Botafogo's Club World Cup talisman Igor Jesus and his teammate Jair Cunha, who both participated in the USA for the Brazilian side.

There were concerns that a move for their teammate Cuiabano may not materialise, but a deadline-day deal could yet be finalised.

The Tricky Trees have completed the signing of the Gambia Under-20s striker Lamin Sillah from sister club Olympiakos, but he will initially join their academy squad.

Forest are also said to be on the lookout for another young forward to bolster the ranks, and after Johan Bakayoko joined RB Leipzig and a deal for reported Liverpool target Malick Fofana of Lyon seems to have evaporated, it will be a last-minute addition if they are to sign an attacker.

On transfer deadline day, Forest are expected to complete the signing of Strasbourg winger Dilane Bakwa, and the 23-year-old France Under-21s international will cost more than £30m.

Nottingham Forest's priority positions for 2025 summer transfer window

It has been noted that Nuno prefers to work with a tight-knit squad, avoiding issues such as discontentment from players consistently left out.

However, European qualification surely means greater strength in depth is needed, and - if his transfer goes through - Bakwa will offer another option in attack following the additions of McAtee and Hutchinson to play in more creative roles.

The Tricky Trees also felt it necessary to add to their current midfield ranks, signing Luiz to join the relatively threadbare group including Ibrahim Sangare, Anderson, Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates.

A new left-back is also be on the cards too, given that Harry Toffolo was released after his contract expired in June and Alex Moreno returned to Aston Villa following his loan spell at the City Ground, while it remains to be seen whether ex-Bayern Munich man Omar Richards will play any part after returning from a loan spell with Rio Ave.

Atletico's Galan should fill that void on the left for Nuno's side, as the 30-year-old full-back is expected to complete a permanent switch from the Spanish capital and sign a three-year contract with the option of a fourth.