Nottingham Forest are splashing out over £90million on three prospective signings with more in the pipeline as manager Nuno Espirito Santo bemoaned an imbalance in his squad ahead of the season kick-off.
Talking to Sky, Nuno said: ‘We are very far – very, very far – from where we should be. We are very far in terms of preparation, in terms of planning, in terms of the squad.
‘So we are all very worried that in two or three days time we are playing for the Premier League, the most demanding competition in the world. And we are very far. Very, very far.
‘The plans that we had didn’t come through. The preparation in terms of squad was not ideal. We didn’t have a chance to create the bond – and this is what I think is more important.
‘Because we don’t know which squad we have. We have players working here that know they’re going to leave on loan. We have a major problem.’
Forest have been relatively quiet so far in the window, but had spent money on three new signings ahead of a season where the club will contend with the Premier League and European football.
Nuno Espirito Santo has bemoaned Nottingham Forest’s imbalanced squad before the season
Forest are closing in on deals for Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson and Man City’s James McAtee
Forest have brought in Dan Ndoye from Bologna in a £34m move, while Brazilian duo Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha arrived from Botafogo for a combined £27million.
The arrival of Ndoye followed the sale of winger Anthony Elanga, who joined Newcastle for £55m near the start of the window.
Daily Mail Sport reported on Thursday that Forest have agreed to shell out over £90m on three signings ahead of the start of the season.
Forest have offered £37.5million for Ipswich Town winger Omari Hutchinson and are closing on a £26m deal for Rennes forward Arnaud Kalimeundo.
They are also finalising details on a £30m package for Manchester City midfielder James McAtee.
Hutchinson still has other clubs in for him but Forest are in pole position. They have also stepped in ahead of Brentford for the 23-year-old France international Kalimuendo who is due to undergo a medical on Friday.
McAtee will cost £22m plus £8m in add ons with buy-back and sell-on clauses included for City.
Talks are also continuing with Juventus over a loan move for former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Nuno’s side failed to win any of their seven pre-season friendlies and scored just one goal
Forest will begin the new Premier League season at the City Ground on Sunday, where Nuno’s side will host Brentford.
Forest failed to win any of their seven first-team pre-season friendlies ahead of the season, drawing five and losing two.
Nuno’s side scored only one goal across the friendlies ahead of the new Premier League season.