(Credit: Imago, Getty Images)

Callum O'Connell

Mon 2 March 2026 17:36, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Nottingham Forest remain at serious risk of getting relegated from the Premier League this season and frustrations are now growing behind the scenes.

Despite Vitor Pereira‘s arrival as their fourth permanent manager of the season, the recruitment team are now baring the brunt of the frustrations.

Nottingham Forest spent over £180million in the summer transfer window, with Edu Gaspar leading their transfer plans, but multiple big-money signings have failed to impress.

James McAtee, Dan Ndoye and Dilane Bakwa all arrived in the summer for a combined total of around £95m, but have a total of one goal and two league assists between them.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the transfer team are now facing increasing criticism behind the scenes, with Evangelos Marinakis unhappy.

Edu Gaspar under pressure at Nottingham Forest

Football Insider revealed on 25 February that Edu could be forced out of Nottingham Forest before the end of the season amid fears of a bust-up behind the scenes.

Forest’s recruitment has been a major contributing factor to their potential relegation, and the Global Head of Football is now under intense pressure.

“Nottingham Forest have not been afraid to spend big,” Brown told Football Insider.

“But it’s not the amount of money they spend that’s the problem, it’s the fact a lot of their players have proven they’re not good enough at this level.

“Last summer they went out and bought so many new players, how many of those can you say have performed to the level you’d expect?

“That’s a big reason why they’re in the position they’re in, and the owner Marinakis is not happy.

“He’s liable to make a decision at the drop of a hat, so it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the decided that Edu hasn’t done well enough and gets rid of him.

“There are certainly fingers being pointed his way because of the amount of money spent.

“He came to Forest in the first place because of his relationship with Marinakis, but I don’t think that will change things if he’s going to be sacked.”

• Read more: Supercomputer predicts Nottingham Forest’s Europa League chances.

Nottingham Forest open to letting summer signings leave

A number of players who arrived at the City Ground during last summer’s transfer window could already be on their way out just a year after signing.

The size of Pereira’s squad and excess of players who are getting minimal game time is a major concern, while even those who start have not been deemed good enough.

For example, Brown told Football Insider on 23 February that Nottingham Forest could sell Igor Jesus amid concerns about his performances this season.

Jesus has shown glimpses of qualify in the Europa League, with seven of his 12 goals this season coming in Europe, but has scored just two in the Premier League.

His Europa League displays have shown his quality and attracted interest from clubs on the continent, and Forest may be able to cash in for a good price this summer.