Anderson and Milenkovic exit fears grow after ‘awful week’ for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest are facing the daunting prospect of Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic becoming the latest stars to leave the City Ground.
Anderson joined Forest last summer after Newcastle were forced to sell their academy graduate due to fears of a sanction from the Premier League for failing their profit and sustainability rules (PSR)
Milenkovic joined from Fiorentina in the same window for £12m [BBC Sport], after Moussa Niakhate was sold to Lyon to avoid a sanction of their own.
Both became key players under Nuno Espirito Santo in their first season at the City Ground as Forest qualified for Europe for the first time since the 1980s.
However, the Tricky Trees are being pulled apart this summer with several key players on the precipice of an exit, leading to concerns that Milenkovic and Anderson could be on their way out.
Milenkovic and Anderson may leave next summer
Anthony Elanga is closing in on a move to Newcastle that would see the Magpies pay £55million for the Swedish winger.
And Morgan Gibbs-White also looks to be on his way out of Forest as Tottenham look set to activate the England international’s £60m release clause.
The Tricky Trees’ legendary striker Stan Collymore took to X to share his feelings on both moves, calling it an “awful week for Forest” whilst also warning the sales will “embolden clubs next summer” to make similar approaches for Milenkovic and Anderson.
Forest move quickly to strengthen squad
Football Insider Verdict
Sources told Football Insider that Forest have opened talks with PSV Eindhoven over a move for Johan Bakayoko.
The winger scored nine goals for the Dutch side as they pipped Ajax to the Eredivisie title and the Belgian man is in-demand.
Whilst less than ideal heading into next season when Forest will be competing both in the Premier League and Europe, Elanga and Gibbs-White are unlikely to ever be as valuable as they are this summer.
The Tricky Trees have shown their recruitment talents in recent years, bringing in players from various different levels and nations, with most being unequivocal successes.
Rather than mire in the disappointment of losing their stars, Forest are taking the deals in their stride and quickly identifying replacements, as all good sides do.