Oliver Glasner outlined his confidence in Nottingham Forest‘s transfer strategy earlier this week, and for good reason. The Midlands club have already welcomed the likes of Ousmane Diomande and now have their sights set on other targets at this late stage of the window.
The Austrian will take charge of his first game as Nottingham Forest manager this weekend when his new side square off against Leeds United. It’s his first chance to lay down a marker for what he hopes will be an incredibly successful tenure.
|
Nottingham Forest signings 26/27 |
Position |
Signed from |
Role / key strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ousmane Diomande |
CB |
Sporting CP |
Powerful, athletic centre-back brought in to strengthen Forest’s defence |
|
Gustavo Sá |
AM |
Famalicão |
Creative young attacking midfielder |
|
Xaver Schlager |
CM |
RB Leipzig |
Energetic, combative midfielder with strong pressing ability |
|
Steven Benda |
GK |
Free agent |
Goalkeeping depth and competition |
As far as he’s concerned, though, there are still signings to come before his squad is complete. Glasner told reporters earlier this week: “It will be one or two [new signings], I’m very confident, no more. We already know the players we want to bring in, and now it’s just about getting the deals done.
“Of course, it can be that we don’t find an agreement with some players, [but] we already have two or three other options with the same profiles.”
On that front, a right-back seems to be on the agenda and, more specifically, Javi Rueda. The Celta Vigo man has emerged as a target following Forest’s continued struggle to sign Dodo from Fiorentina.
It looks like Glasner will be sticking to his back five in the Midlands and that’s why a player like Rueda could prove to be all important. The right-back has the traits to suggest that he can play as a wingback, and he can play both sides. In one move, Forest could hand their squad depth a key boost.
Nottingham Forest ready to double Javi Rueda’s salary
As reported by Radio Galega journalist Víctor López and relayed by Sport Witness, Nottingham Forest are ready to double Javi Rueda‘s salary in order to get their deal over the line.
The Tricky Trees are prepared to take drastic action after learning that the right-back is currently keen to stay put at Celta Vigo. They hope that hefty salary increase will change his mind as they look to trigger his €30m (£26m) release clause.
As things stand, Rueda reportedly earns around £14,000 a week in Spain, which means his salary would increase to as much as £28,000 a week at the City Ground.
|
League stats 25/26 |
Javi Rueda |
Ola Aina |
|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
1,404 |
1,590 |
|
Assists |
6 |
0 |
|
Chances created per 90 |
0.9 |
0.51 |
|
Tackles per 90 |
1.28 |
1.75 |
|
Recoveries per 90 |
3.4 |
4.58 |
The numbers suggest that Rueda would certainly hand Ola Aina plenty of competition. The Celta Vigo man enjoyed far better output than the Forest star last season, but struggled on the defensive front.
If Glasner is looking to find his new Daniel Munoz, however, then he should prefer the man who assisted six goals last season. If Forest are to double Rueda’s salary too, then he should be expected to start.
