Marinakis wants Champions League football after Nottingham Forest signing spree
Evangelos Marinakis wants Nottingham Forest to qualify for Champions League football after their signing spree.
Forest looked set to qualify for the Champions League last season before a late dip in form saw them slip down the Premier League table.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side eventually finished the campaign in seventh place, earning them a Conference League spot.
However, Forest will now play in the Europa League after Crystal Palace were demoted to the Conference League following multi-club ownership issues surrounding former co-owner John Textor.
It means Forest will come up against better opposition in Europe and further additions are needed to compete.
They have already signed Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha and Angus Gunn, with those deals reportedly worth around £63million.
In terms of outgoings, Anthony Elanga joined Newcastle United for £55million, while Danilo, Ramon Sosa, Andrew Omobamidele, Matt Turner, Lewis O’Brien, Harry Toffalo, Jonathan Panzo and Wayne Hennessey have also left the club this summer.
Who are Nottingham Forest set to sign?
Nuno is now focusing on incomings as he looks to strengthen his squad before the transfer deadline on 1 September.
Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider Forest were set for a signing blitz alongside four of their Premier League rivals.
Forest have now reached an agreement to sign James McAtee from Manchester City, with the deal worth £30million and includes a sell-on and buy-back clause.
City Ground chiefs have been looking to strike a deal for the 22-year-old over the past few weeks as they look to add more creativity to Nuno’s side.
Elsewhere, Omari Hutchison is also on the verge of joining Forest from Ipswich Town for £37.5million and Arnaud Kalimuendo’s £26million move from Rennes is believed to be edging closer.
Forest are also understood to be in talks to sign Douglas Luiz from Juventus and AC Milan’s Yunus Musah.
Nottingham Forest could get extra £20m after stunning twist
It’s clear Marinakis is backing Nuno in the transfer market and is keen to ensure Champions League football arrives at the City Ground in the near future.
Forest are set to take on Brentford at home in their season-opener on Sunday (17 August).
Meanwhile, Nuno’s side will begin their Europa League campaign next month.
Forest could bank up to £20million more from the Europa League than they would have earned in the Conference League due to the significant difference in prize money on offer between the two competitions.
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