It doesn’t feel like it’s been long since Nottingham Forest’s hectic summer deadline day, but the January transfer window is quickly coming.

When the window reopens, the Reds are unlikely to have to do much work. They brought in 13 new players throughout the summer, with the bulk of them making an impact in the Premier League.

However, with the team hungry to make progress this season, January might still be a crucial month. There’s still a long way to go, and a lot can happen, but we take a look at what Forest could be looking to move.

Increasing the amount of firepower
In the summer, the Reds boosted their offensive threat by signing striker Divock Origi on loan from AC Milan. Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi were also included.
However, the loss of Taiwo Awoniyi for a month due to injury is devastating. And this says that Forest should revisit the front end in January.

They’ve been failing to reach the back of the net recently, despite some excellent build-up play. Steve Cooper’s team hasn’t scored more than once in a game since a 3-2 loss at Manchester United in August, and they’ve only scored three goals in their past five league games.

It’s something the Reds will have to improve on. However, this might be attributed in part to the fact that they are still gelling as a squad and players are getting up to speed. Forest have the capacity to provide a proper pounding to someone when they properly connect.

Because of the international break, Awoniyi may not miss many games. Even yet, given that the Nigerian was also injured for much of last season, the Reds may wish to review their options in January.

Chris Wood and Divock Origi are two very different styles of attackers. It remains to be seen if they can fill the vacuum left by their teammate’s absence – and the outcome may have an influence on the club’s winter window preparations.
Exit of the goalkeeper
In the summer, overseeing outgoings was just as important as completing crucial signings for Forest. They needed to cut costs.

The team did an excellent job of accomplishing precisely that, with numerous marginal players leaving on loan or permanently. Even after their 25-man Premier League team was announced, the bulk of players who did not make the cut sought new homes.

One of the exceptions was Ethan Horvath. After a good loan spell last season, it was believed that Luton Town would take up an option to buy him on a permanent basis, but the Hatters changed their minds. Despite the fact that the Reds were eager to let the American leave after signing Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos, an alternate transfer did not materialize.

“I guess the ideal situation for him would be to be playing football somewhere, whether it’s us or somewhere else, like he did last year,” Cooper was quoted as saying. “Unfortunately, that is not the case right now.”

“The international break will be very beneficial to him because he will have something to look forward to.” He was part in the last one and has been called up again for this one. It’s something we’ll have to deal with in January.”

Horvath’s contract expires next summer, thus January is Forest’s last chance to acquire something for him. He is one of several players in that condition, including Scott McKenna, Willy Boly, Serge Aurier, Felipe, and Wood, which means a decision on whether to give new contracts will have to be taken at some time.

Obtaining loan moves
The Reds currently have strong depth after bringing in 13 new players during the summer transfer window. However, because Cooper wants to build a stable squad, it might be tough for players to break in.

Brandon Aguilera is demonstrating this to be true. The 20-year-old pleased Cooper throughout pre-season, but his sole first-team outing this season has been as a substitute in the Carabao Cup defeat to Burnley.

Aguilera’s condition will be reviewed again in January, according to Forest’s head coach. And at that time, another loan may be deemed necessary for his progress.

“He’s a young player for whom we’re excited to develop a program.” But it will stay with us for the medium term until January, at which point we will reassess,” Cooper said in August.

Young goalkeeper George Shelvey might potentially profit from a loan move. He stated in the summer that he wanted to play frequently and that he would be willing to go out on loan.