Credit: Imago

'We are not a serious club' - Nottingham Forest fans erupt as 'comical' new transfer targeted

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

16 Jan 2026, 7:15 am

Nottingham Forest supporters are more than furious with their club's transfer tactics ahead of the second half of the campaign.

Forest have already let Arnaud Kalimuendo leave, joining Eintracht Frankfurt on loan with an option to buy, and the Frenchman has already opened his assist account in the Bundesliga.

Despite a more positive atmosphere at the City Ground, thanks to Sean Dyche, Forest remain in the relegation conversation this season, struggling to find the back of the net.

Only Wolves have fewer goals than the Tricky Trees in the Premier League, and with the fourth-worst goal difference in the division, playing Championship football next season is a very real concern.

Therefore, trying to sign another striker this season makes a lot of sense.

USA striker Josh Sargent on Nottingham Forest's shortlist as they look at striker options this month. Youssef En-Nesyri at Fenerbahçe also on radar to strengthen. #NFFC to make decision on which forwards to target

🌲🇺🇸🇲🇦 @TeleFootball https://t.co/w0x1PP2bR4
— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) January 16, 2026

Nottingham Forest join the race to sign Josh Sargent

Nuno Espirito Santo is in a similar boat at the London Stadium, with West Ham wanting to sign Josh Sargent from Norwich City before the January window slams shut.

And according to The Telegraph's Mike McGrath (16 January), Forest have joined the race for the USA international's signature, with Youssef En-Nesyri also being targeted.

It is safe to say, fans are absolutely baffled.

We are not a serious club, if this is even remotely true....🤦‍♂️😭
— Andy (@Hillereal) January 16, 2026

Yep - they’ve lost the plot.

Hoping this is pure diversion tactics. #nffc https://t.co/ofqC9IPRUy
— Jack Kavanagh (@jwkav10) January 16, 2026

We are in the middle of the window and yet to make a decision on which targets to pursue. It’s comical. #nffc https://t.co/zOOe9P1x4k
— AndrewNFFC (@AndrewNFFC20) January 16, 2026

One supporter labelled the transfer link as "comical," while another said, "we are not a serious club," as the Reds continue to struggle for goals in the final third.

@Chris78901: "Oh, Jesus Christ."
@CityGroundShelf: "So we may as well have just kept Kalimuendo. That decision will ultimately be judged on whether they can improve on him. Not sure Sargent is that upgrade."
@BradleyPrice05: "Why are we looking at championship options again?"

How has Sargent fared in the Championship this season?

While he does have seven goals in 23 Championship games this season, he only has two in his last 19, with the Canaries still bobbing just below safety in England's second tier.

In his last three campaigns, Sargent has netted 13, 16, and 15 goals, so he is on his way to reaching similar numbers this term, but only because of a good start to the season.

Including a goal in the Carabao Cup, the 25-year-old went on a five-game scoring streak in August, ending with a brace against Blackburn Rovers.

However, he has not been the same at all, and the Canaries might think about cashing in, especially with so much Premier League interest in him this month.

There are multiple other decent options out there, which is why Forest supporters are so angry, but Dyche is in desperate need of reinforcements before the window closes.

Nottingham Forest

Josh Sargent