“Despite recent smart transfers, Nottingham Forest likely has a few past transfer regrets.”
Nottingham Forest has enjoyed several transfer successes in recent windows, but like every club, they haven’t always gotten it right.
There’s no guarantee a signing will be a hit, and letting players go can sometimes backfire. Some have thrived after leaving the Reds, while others left gaps that are still felt today. Here are a few players Forest might regret losing.
Brice Samba
After securing promotion to the Premier League, keeping Samba might have saved Forest some trouble. Since his move to Lens, the club has rotated through several goalkeepers, from Keylor Navas and Dean Henderson to Odysseas Vlachodimos and Matt Turner, with varying success. Forest might dip into the market again soon to strengthen the position, while Samba, meanwhile, has shone in the Champions League and earned his international debut.
Brennan Johnson
Johnson’s departure to Tottenham for £47.5 million in 2023 was a good deal financially. Owner Evangelos Marinakis noted how the funds would allow Forest to reinvest. While the club brought in exciting talents like Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga, it still stings to see one of their own thrive at Spurs.
Matty Cash
Another academy graduate, Cash moved to Aston Villa in 2020 for an initial £14 million. He’s since made more than 120 Premier League appearances and played for Poland in the 2022 World Cup. While Forest hasn’t struggled at right-back, with Djed Spence’s promotion-winning contributions and Ola Aina and Neco Williams competing now, Cash’s success is hard to overlook.
Britt Assombalonga
Going further back, selling Assombalonga to Middlesbrough in 2017 for £15 million was a profitable move, but it didn’t sit well with all fans. The forward was a natural goal-scorer, and his exit raised questions about the club’s ambition. Now 31, Assombalonga has since played for Watford and in Turkey, but his departure is still remembered by many.
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