Nottingham Forest have officially confirmed their retained list as they head into a pivotal summer transfer window, signalling the start of a major squad rebuild under head coach Vitor Pereira.
The club has announced that four senior players will depart the City Ground upon the expiration of their contracts at the end of June. Goalkeepers Stefan Ortega and Angus Gunn, veteran defender Willy Boly, and on-loan Italian striker Lorenzo Lucca are all set to bid farewell to Trentside.
Their departures mark the clearing of significant wage space as the Reds prepare to navigate stringent financial regulations. Simultaneously, the club’s hierarchy is trying to upgrade a squad that famously reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League last season.
Willy Boly’s departure represents the end of an era for a player who brought vital Premier League experience to the club during a turbulent period. Joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2022, the Ivorian defender quickly established himself as a respected dressing room leader.
While injuries limited his impact during the 2025/26 campaign, his historical contributions remain highly valued by the Forest faithful. He made just two appearances last season and was left out of the registered squad for the second half of the year due to long-term fitness struggles.
In an official statement, Nottingham Forest paid tribute to the departing centre-back: “Willy Boly leaves the Club having been an exemplary leader both on and off the pitch since his arrival from Wolves in 2022. It was in his second season at Forest where the Ivorian made his biggest mark, featuring 20 times in the Premier League and scoring twice.”
The club statement continued: “Boly made a total of 47 appearances for the Reds and the experienced defender has remained a key figure within the squad, helping the team qualify for the UEFA Europa League in the 2024/25 season.”
The Goalkeeping Merry-Go-Round Continues
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the retained list is the double departure in the goalkeeping department. Both Angus Gunn and Stefan Ortega will exit the club simultaneously. This leaves Matz Sels as the primary senior goalkeeper currently on the books.
This dual exit guarantees that Forest will be highly active in the market for a new shot-stopper this summer. The recruitment team is already looking at targets who fit Pereira’s philosophy of building play from the back.
Angus Gunn’s time on Trentside was brief and arguably frustrating for the Scotland international. Signed just twelve months ago as a free agent to compete for the number one spot, Gunn found opportunities incredibly sparse under the current management.
He made just a single first-team appearance, coming on as a half-time substitute during a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at the City Ground in February. He later admitted he felt the goalposts were moved regarding his expected game time.
Despite his lack of domestic minutes, Gunn remains highly rated internationally. He has been handed Scotland’s number one shirt ahead of the upcoming World Cup. His focus will now immediately shift to the international stage before securing a new domestic home.
Conversely, Stefan Ortega’s short-term stint will be remembered as highly impactful. Arriving on a wave of winter window intrigue from Manchester City, the German keeper was brought in specifically to add elite composure and cup pedigree to Pereira’s backline.
He achieved exactly that, establishing himself as the definitive cup goalkeeper during Forest’s historic continental run. Ortega played every single minute of seven out of eight Europa League knockout matches, keeping the team steady through incredible pressure.
His standout moment came in the first leg of the quarter-final against FC Porto, where a Player of the Match performance kept the tie alive. With double-digit appearances across all competitions in just four months, Ortega proved to be an inspired short-term signing.
Meanwhile, giant forward Lorenzo Lucca returns to SSC Napoli. The towering Italian international joined on loan with high expectations in January to provide a physical alternative to Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi up front.
However, adjusting to the tactical demands and pace of English football proved difficult in such a short window. Failing to find the back of the net regularly, Forest comfortably made the decision to decline their permanent purchase option.
Analyzing the Retained Squad: Stability in the Core
With the departures confirmed, Forest’s retained list paints a picture of a squad that has successfully lowered its average age. The club has managed to preserve its highest-value assets while trimming peripheral players from the wage bill.
In the over-24 bracket, the club retains substantial star power and leadership. Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Jota Silva remain the creative fulcrums of the attack, ensuring dynamic threat on the wings.
Defensively, Nikola Milenković, Morato, and David Carmo provide an imposing physical spine. This defensive core fits Vitor Pereira’s tactical blueprint perfectly, offering height, strength, and aggressive line-breaking passing capabilities.
The midfield stability provided by Ibrahim Sangaré and Ryan Yates ensures that Forest will not need to completely overhaul their engine room. Sangaré, in particular, will be expected to kick on next season after showing flashes of his true defensive dominance.
Combined with the versatility of Ola Aina and Neco Williams in the full-back positions, the foundation of a top-half Premier League side is clearly visible. The club possesses excellent balance between defensive solidity and overlapping attacking intent.
Furthermore, the under-24 list highlights the incredible depth of young talent currently developing at the City Ground. Murillo remains the crown jewel of the defense, though the club will have to fight off massive European interest to keep him.
The inclusion of Elliot Anderson, Omari Hutchinson, and James McAtee shows that Forest possess some of the most dynamic young progressive midfielders in the country. This youthful energy will be vital for the upcoming campaign.
Summer Transfer Strategy: What Comes Next?
The confirmation of these exits outlines exactly where Forest’s recruitment team will focus their energies over the coming months. First and foremost, a reliable, high-calibre secondary goalkeeper must be signed to compete with Matz Sels.
Pereira demands a keeper who can play out from the back with pinpoint accuracy under pressure. This was a trait Ortega brought but one that now requires a long-term, permanent solution in the market.
Secondly, with Boly departing and Murillo continuously linked with heavy-money transfers to Champions League clubs, signing a commanding central defender is an absolute necessity. Depth was tested heavily during the winter injury crisis last season.
Finally, the search for a dynamic striker will resume. With Lucca returning to Italy, Forest remain heavily reliant on the goalscoring exploits of Chris Wood and the fitness of Taiwo Awoniyi, who has struggled with recurring issues.
Finding a young, versatile forward who can operate both centrally and out wide will be the ultimate priority. This will give Vitor Pereira the tactical flexibility he needs to push Nottingham Forest firmly into the upper echelons of English football.
Full Retained List Breakdown
Aged 24 or over and under contract: Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi, David Carmo, Nicolás DomÃnguez, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Igor Jesus, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Nikola Milenković, Morato, Dan Ndoye, Omar Richards, Ibrahim Sangaré, Matz Sels, Jota Silva, John Victor, Neco Williams, Chris Wood, Ryan Yates.
Aged under 24 and under contract: Zach Abbott, Elliot Anderson, Dilane Bakwa, Tyler Bindon, Aaron Bott, Jair Cunha, Cuiabano, Omari Hutchinson, James McAtee, Eric da Silva Moreira, Murillo, Luca Netz, Nicolò Savona, Keehan Willows.
