Nottingham Forest did some very shrewd business in the summer transfer window, landing 11 new players to the squad.

Perhaps more crucially, Forest managed to keep the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White, Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi amid interest from bigger clubs.

Forest let two of their new recruits - Marko Stamenic and David Carmo - join Olympiacos on loan and that leaves nine players to bed in.

The Reds did try for a number of other players during the summer transfer window - right up until the deadline on Friday night.

A striker was glaring omission from the transfer widow, with several attempts to sign Santiago Gimenez falling flat, with the player rejecting Forest.

There were other targets though and a number of players were linked prior to the club signing James Ward-Prowse and Morato close to the deadline.

The player was wanted by Forest in a loan deal that would have included an option to buy next summer.

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However, Forest made this play just two days away from the deadline and although Valencia were keen to negotiate, the player just wasn't keen.

The player believed that a move to Forest wouldn't have represented a step up for him and now wants the La Liga outfit to offer him a new contract.

Forest weren't alone in being rejected by Almeida. He also declined moves to Real Betis and Girona and perhaps he simply wants to remain at Valencia.

The Reds were happy to pay a PS2 million loan fee and would have included the option to buy him for just PS12.5 million in 12 months.

Almeida is clearly valued at Valencia and has started three of the team's four games in La Liga so far during 2024/25.

Forest don't need Almeida This interest might have come before it became obvious that Ward-Prowse was a genuine option from West Ham.

He boasts a wicked set-piece delivery and bags of Premier League experience that should help this season.

Almeida has played 60 times for Valencia but alarmingly he only has four goals and six assists, despite playing more often than not as a number 10.

Forest have England invitee Gibbs-White in that position and landing a player on loan who wouldn't have featured much wouldn't have made much sense.

Being rejected by any target isn't ideal but in our view, Forest won't live to rue the decision made by Almeida too much in the long run.