(Credit: Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Wed 29 April 2026 9:49, UK

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Nottingham Forest are set to target the addition of at least one new striker to their squad ahead of next season, sources have told Football Insider.

The Reds have gained major success by switching to a 4-4-2 formation in recent weeks, and it is understood that Vitor Pereira is already planning to use that system on a more regular basis next term.

The Portuguese boss has already decided that a new frontman will need to be signed as a result, with sources indicating that the current level of depth is seen as being insufficient to play with two up front every week.

Chris Wood, Igor Jesus and Taiwo Awoniyi are all under contract for next season, but with Lorenzo Lucca likely to depart, the East Midlands outfit are keen to carry at least four options to lead the line.

Forest are keen to strengthen their hand again if they come out on the right side of their relegation battle, and the attack is seen as a major area of priority at the City Ground.

Vitor Pereira convinced after enforced change

Forest have breathed new life into their fight for survival in recent weeks, as they are currently on an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

The Reds are juggling their Premier League assignments with a Europa League campaign, but that took its toll recently, with winger Callum Hudson-Odoi sustaining an injury in the quarter-final against Porto.

As a result, Pereira felt obliged to switch from his team’s usual 4-2-3-1 formation at half-time of the recent win over Burnley, and re-align his men into a 4-4-2, and it has delivered eye-catching results.

Forest came from a goal down in the second period to down the Clarets 4-1, and then followed that up with a stunning 5-0 win away at Sunderland last time out, including a four-goal demolition in the first half.

Their switch in formation may have been born out of necessity at first, but it has worked to such strong effect that the boss is now contemplating using it on a regular basis next term.

The Portuguese must first ensure that he gets his team over the line to safety at the end of the campaign, but they look well-placed to do that, as they are five points clear of the drop with just four games to go.

Nottingham Forest set to enact new transfer plan this summer

Former Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider at the start of April that Forest need to start selling players for profit in order to improve their financial status, after their accounts showed a £71million loss across 2024-25.

The Scottish businessman indicated that he was not “unduly concerned” by the figures shown in the Reds’ accounts, but also noted that an improved ability to trade players would help to reduce those losses in future.

There has been a big turnover of the squad at the City Ground in recent years, with several big spends sanctioned by owner Evangelos Marinakis.

However, this time around, there looks set to be much more money coming into their coffers, as they are facing battles to keep the influential trio of Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo.

All three are set to command sizeable transfer fees if they do move elsewhere ahead of next term, but that would leave Forest with plenty of cash to splash on improvements of their own.