Nottingham Forest are heading into a big 2027 as they consider potential transfers and contract situations

Potential signings will not be the only matter on the agenda for Nottingham Forest as the new year approaches.

The Reds will no doubt also have contract situations front of mind as they look to plot a course through 2027 and beyond. The state of play regarding some deals could have an impact on the next couple of transfer windows.

A relatively quiet summer saw few changes made to the Forest dressing room, with just five new faces added - six if Gustavo Sa, who immediately went on loan to Olympiacos, is included. Head coach Oliver Glasner resisted any temptation to make further additions after the club missed out on some targets, preferring instead to have time to do due diligence rather than bring in players for the sake of it.

The Austrian also wanted the opportunity to properly assess his squad. Come January, he will have formed a better idea of the resources he has and what the Reds require.

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As in the summer, the winter window is unlikely to see a mass overhaul at the City Ground. The suggestion is just a few tweaks could be considered, with key figures expected to stay put.

Nevertheless, the midway point of a campaign is generally where clubs start weighing up the futures of players coming to the end of their contracts. January is the final opportunity to cash-in on a player who will otherwise be a free agent come next June, unless fresh terms are offered.

Forest have two players whose deals expire in 2027. Third-choice goalkeeper Steven Benda is one, although there is an option to extend his stay by a further 12 months, and striker Chris Wood is the other.

In both cases, exits in the upcoming transfer window seem unlikely. The summer could be a different story, though.

Wood is mostly having to settle for a substitutes’ role this season but he can still have a part to play between now and May. Glasner values his experience and know-how, and the New Zealander should still be able to chip in with a few goals.

The Reds won’t want to be left short of attacking options, particularly as they look to pull away from relegation danger. However, Wood is 34 and it is a big ask to expect him to produce the kind of form he showed in 2024/25, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the front man moves on at the end of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Forest may well need to assess their goalkeeping options at some point in the not too distant future. There is talk of back-up stopper John Victor being in line for a return to his Brazilian homeland; if he does go, it would make little sense for Benda to move on in the new year, too. Trying to source two keepers in January would not be ideal.

Perhaps the summer will prompt a call about Matz Sels, too. The Belgian hasn’t always been at his best this term and the Reds were linked with some keepers earlier in the year.

Sels is one of 10 senior players who will be out of contract in 2028. It means it won’t be long before their situations require addressing.

There would be some risk involved in Forest getting to a position where so many players have a year remaining on their deals and are edging closer to becoming free agents. Aside from Sels, John, Ola Aina, Ryan Yates, Morgan Gibbs-White, Nicolas Dominguez, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Xaver Schlager, Tyler Bindon and Eric da Silva Moreira are the players whose contracts are due to run out in 2028.

It means some big calls loom regarding future plans. If January ends up being relatively quiet, next summer is already shaping up to be an important period Trentside.