Nottingham Forest, upon their return to the Premier League last season, embarked on a spree of nearly 50 new player signings, and now face the task of streamlining their squad. Several players on the periphery need to be moved on in order to alleviate the financial burden on the wage bill.
Below, we highlight three players who, in our opinion, should not be offered contract extensions beyond the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign:
1. Harry Arter:
Described by some as one of the club’s most regrettable signings, the 33-year-old was brought in from Bournemouth in 2020, signing a three-year deal. However, Arter quickly slipped down the pecking order after his arrival and hasn’t made an appearance for the Reds since 2021. Instead, he had loan spells at Charlton Athletic and Notts County, where he failed to make a significant impact. Arter was awarded a one-year extension when Forest secured promotion, as it was a clause in his existing contract, and he continues to earn a substantial weekly wage of at least £35,000.
2. Ethan Horvath:
The 28-year-old goalkeeper joined Forest as a free agent during the 2021/22 season, assuming the role of the backup goalkeeper behind fan-favorite Brice Samba. Despite his arrival, Horvath has only made six appearances for the club, subsequently going on loan to Luton Town, who secured promotion last season. However, Luton decided against making his loan deal permanent, and Horvath has failed to attract interest from other clubs. He was not included in Forest’s 25-man Premier League squad for the current season, and with his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign, it appears that he may have already played his final game for the club.
3. Cheikhou Kouyaté:
This selection may be a subject of debate, but we believe that Cheikhou Kouyaté should not be offered a new contract when his current deal expires this summer. The 33-year-old was brought in as a backup player the previous summer, but since then, the club has made significant investments in the midfield department, resulting in multiple players ahead of Kouyaté in the pecking order. While he has been a dependable squad player, his age suggests that the club could find a younger and more cost-effective alternative to fill the squad role. Kouyaté has never disappointed during his time with the Reds, but with rumors suggesting his weekly wage is around £45,000, it seems prudent to free up that financial resource on the wage bill.
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