Nuno Espirito Santo says he is happy with Nottingham Forest’s progress on the pitch and in the transfer market — but wants to see the club continue their hard work on both fronts before the Premier League season kicks-off later this month.
Jota Silva became the club’s sixth signing of the summer when he joined from Vitoria Guimaraes in a deal worth an initial €7million (£6m) this week.
The winger was not involved in the 0-0 draw with Villarreal after returning to Portugal for a few days but is expected to join up with the squad on Monday.
Head coach Nuno is happy with his side’s performance against the Spanish side and with the progress they have made in pre-season.
But he says there is still room for them to improve further and for the club to make further careful additions before the window closes.
“I think we are doing okay. We are not quite ready, but that is normal. We have one more match to go and a couple more weeks (of training). We are in a good place but we are trying to build; trying to know each other better and to play the way we want to play,” he said.
“It is beneficial that we have brought players in early. It was the right moment for us to do that. We have had the chance to work with them in Spain. The core of the squad is also important; the players who have stayed here can make us stronger.
“But I think we still need (more signings). Not too many things, because it is always about trying to be clinical about what we bring in to improve what I think is already a good squad. Let’s take our time and make the right decisions.”
The capture of Silva follows on from the signings of attacking midfielder Elliot Anderson from Newcastle United, in a deal that valued him at £15million, of winger or full-back Eric Moreira from St Pauli for £1.25m, of goalkeeper Carlos Miguel from Corinthians (£3m) and the capture of defender Nikola Milenkovic from Fiorentina for £12million.
Forest also signed midfielder Maro Stamenic from Red Star, before sending him out on loan to sister club Olympiacos.
Forest have been working to agree a deal to sign another winger, in the form of Paraguay international Ramon Sosa, from Talleres, while they are also still looking to further strengthen in goal, where Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone of Crystal Palace are among those on their shortlist of potential targets.
The trio of Omar Richards, Joe Worrall and Emmanuel Dennis were not involved against Villarreal and are unlikely to play a part in Forest’s final friendly game, against Olympiacos in Athens next Thursday.
“We will see what the future is for these players,” said Nuno. “We will always be very careful with the decisions we make about the future of players.”
Forest begin the new season at home to Bournemouth on August 17.
(Bradley Collyer/PA Images via Getty Images)
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