'What if we simply persuade them to stay?'published at 12:26 BST
12:26 BST
Pat Riddell Fan writer
The transfer rumours never stop. Ever since Nottingham Forest returned to the Premier League, any player who has excelled in any consistent way has been linked with a move to a 'bigger club'.
Very few of them have actually left. Brennan Johnson and Anthony Elanga were the two big-money departures - both record sales - sanctioned with an eye on sustainability. Others have been sold for good money, but perhaps weren't as intrinsic to the first team and were subsequently replaced with an equal or upgraded equivalent.
It is only now that the wolves are at the door and the threat is real. But the caveats remain unknown.
Elliot Anderson hasn't just been one of Forest's best performers this season - he's been one of the Premier League's standout players. And he's been heavily linked to Manchester United and Manchester City as well as any other club that likes being linked to promising midfielders.
Morgan Gibbs-White is also fundamental to Forest's first XI and one of the most exquisite attacking players to ever grace the City Ground. Murillo is a Rolls-Royce of a defender - although perhaps there is a more graceful car comparison - and is surely the best we've seen since Des Walker.
Neco Williams has had an outstanding campaign. Nikola Milenkovic is a rock at the back. Ibrahim Sangare is finally the player we always thought he could be. All have been linked with other clubs. But - there's always a but - what if Nottingham Forest had something to do with their futures? What if we win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League? What if we retain Premier League status and Vitor Pereira continues to impress? What if we simply persuade them to stay?
If big money comes knocking with an opportunity a player can hardly refuse, it's often unfair to stand in their way. If Evangelos Marinakis gives his blessing, knowing the revenues raised will give the Reds an even greater base to grow from, then we might see one or maybe two players depart. But it won't be without a fight. And it won't be before we know how next season looks. Hold tight.
'Anderson can go to the very top'published at 09:00 BST 31 March
09:00 BST 31 March
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Elliot Anderson has made the fifth most passes in the Premier League this season with 2,002 - at a success rate of 85.8% - almost 200 more than the next midfielder on the list Dominik Szoboszlai.
He has also won possession back 259 times - the highest in the division - and has won the most ground duels, 195 of his 359.
Anderson has carried the ball 5,406.5m, only behind Jan Paul van Hecke, Declan Rice, Pedro Neto and Ryan Gravenberch this season.
To some his success is no surprise.
Former Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan coached and played with Anderson during his loan at Bristol Rovers in 2022.
Anderson joined the Pirates on deadline day in the February and made an instant impact, coming off the bench to win a point-saving penalty in the 1-1 draw at Sutton on his debut.
Whelan said: "The staff were a bit mindful at the time - Sutton were big, strong and aggressive and as a teenager would he be able to stand up to it?
"He came on and made the difference. He was a game-changer for Rovers.
"The biggest respect I can give to Elliot is he was the one who got us promoted. He was the difference.
"Straight away you could tell he was different. He loves the ball, would take on two, three, four players and after the first game everyone was thinking 'we've got a proper talent here'."
The then 19-year-old scored seven goals in 21 appearances to help Rovers to automatic promotion, including the seventh goal in their improbable 7-0 final-day win over Scunthorpe.
It left former Aston Villa and Stoke midfielder Whelan in no doubt of what Anderson could achieve.
"He's a bit of a throwback, the way he handles the ball. From where he's come from people talk about Gazza (Paul Gascoigne) - he has that about him," the former Republic of Ireland international told BBC Sport.
"He can grab games by the scruff off the neck. It's been a difficult season for Forest but if you put him in a top-four team you'll see a bigger improvement again.
"You've only seen a small bit on the England stage but he can go to the very top.
"I see him being a big success for England and being a mainstay for years."
Gossip: Italian club want Luccapublished at 06:54 BST 31 March
06:54 BST 31 March
Bologna are eyeing a summer move for Nottingham Forest's 25-year-old Italy striker Lorenzo Lucca, who is loan from Napoli until the end of the season. (Gazzetta - in Italian), external