Nottingham Forest have had a relatively quiet transfer window so far, with most of the focus on retaining key players.
Evangelos Marinakis has prioritized keeping the squad intact, which has been evident in the club’s actions, such as offering Chris Wood a new contract.
Morgan Gibbs-White has also been offered improved terms as a reward for his contributions to Forest’s remarkable rise to third in the Premier League.
While the focus has been on stability, there have been whispers of potential departures. Among these, West Ham’s interest in Taiwo Awoniyi appears manageable for Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo. However, Liverpool’s reported pursuit of Elliot Anderson is one that the club is unwilling to entertain.
One player, however, seems likely to leave this month. Irish international Andrew Omobamidele’s future has been all but confirmed by Forest coach Andy Reid.
Andy Reid expects Andrew Omobamidele to leave in January:
Speaking on the Off The Ball show, Andy Reid, part of Espirito Santo’s coaching staff, provided a candid update on Omobamidele’s situation.
Reid said:
“It’s been a tough enough period for him […], opportunities have been limited for him so I think he needs to go and play some football.
“I imagine he’ll find something that lets him get on the football pitch as opportunities are limited for him at the moment, unfortunately.
“He’ll go and have a really good career, it’s just been a tough enough period for him so he needs to go and play.”
Omobamidele has made just one appearance for Forest this season, featuring in the EFL Cup. With limited opportunities under his belt, it seems the club is prepared to sanction his departure. The Irish defender was linked with Leeds United in December, highlighting ongoing interest in his services.
However, his exit could pose challenges for Forest, particularly if Espirito Santo continues to tinker with his tactical setups.
Omobamidele’s departure could leave Forest light at the back:
Should Omobamidele leave, Forest would be left with just four senior centre-backs—a sufficient number for a traditional four-at-the-back system.
However, Espirito Santo has experimented with three central defenders at times this season, a tactic that may become riskier with fewer options available.
The Portuguese coach received praise for his five-defender setup during Forest’s Christmas victory over Brentford, a game plan that successfully neutralized one of the league’s most potent attacks.
However, a limited defensive bench could undermine the flexibility required to deploy such a system during the critical stages of the season.
With Omobamidele’s likely exit, Forest must weigh the risks carefully as they navigate the remainder of the campaign and their push for continued success.