Evangelos Marinakis confronted Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch after the Champions League chasers dropped points at home to Leicester
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is readying another summer spending spree ahead of a European campaign. Forest sit in seventh place with two games to go, but victory from the last two matches could yet see them qualify for the Champions League.
Marinakis was seen confronting manager Nuno Espirito Santo after the last game against Leicester City. Victory would have lifted Forest up to fourth, but Facundo Buonanotte scored a late equaliser for their already-relegated opponents.
This hasn’t stopped the club setting their sights on a flurry of new faces. According to the Telegraph, Manchester CIty’s James McAtee and Ipswich hotshot Liam Delap are among the stars being eyed up ahead of a first tilt at a European trophy in 30 years.
Delap isn’t the only relegated Premier League star on their radar, with Southampton standout Mateus Fernandes also linked. Forest are also expected to add a new left-back with Harry Toffolo out of contract in the summer and loanee Alex Moreno set to return to parent club Aston Villa, while they are said to remain keen on Brentford striker Yoane Wissa after failing with a January bid.
They are also likely to offload players to balance the books, especially if they miss out on Champions League football, though there is not believed to be any huge PSR pressure. Morgan Gibbs-White is among those in high demand, with Manchester City shortlisting the England international as they look for a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.
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Marinakis issued a statement regarding his confrontation with Nuno at the end of the Leicester game. He was understood to be frustrated not with the result alone but rather the decision to leave injured striker Taiwo Awoniyi on the pitch.
“Everybody – coaching staff, players, supporters and including myself – we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s misjudgment on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game,” he said. “This is natural, this is a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club. Let’s all be grateful, passionate and keep on dreaming!”
Nuno explained people behind the scenes are working on Forest’s summer transfer plans and leaving the coaching staff to focus on the final two games, with spending power potentially boosted if they finish in the top five. Victories away at West Ham and at home to Chelsea will guarantee Champions League qualification unless Aston Villa – currently one point ahead – also win their final two games.
“[Qualification] was in our hands, it’s no longer in our hands,” Nuno told Sky Sports after the draw with Leicester. “But we out not playing well, we are not defending well and that is never good.
“I wish I could tell you why but our main focus as coaching staff is to find solutions. When we don’t it’s so frustrating.”
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