Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest

Premier League • England

Nott’m Forest strike double deal with Huddersfield to sign Lewis O’Brien and Harry Tofolo, as medicals organised

Lewis O'Brien of Huddersfield

Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement with Huddersfield Town to sign Lewis O’Brien and Harry Tofolo, according to one journalist.

Steve Cooper’s side have been busy this summer, bringing in eight players already. They include Neco Williams, Moussa Niakhate, Dean Henderson and Omar Richards.

Nottingham Forest are spending big to try and ensure their return to the Premier League is a successful one.

And they look set to add two more players to their squad in the next few days, according to The Telegraph journalist John Percy.

He claims Forest have agreed a double deal with Huddersfield to bring O’Brien and Toffolo to the City Ground.

They will spend an initial £10million to sign central midfielder O’Brien and left-back Toffolo. This fee will rise when add-ons and instalments are included.

Percy states the signings will take Forest’s spending to over £70m. Their medicals will take place on Monday, meaning the transfer could reach completion as early as Tuesday or Wednesday.

O’Brien and Toffolo came up against Forest in last season’s Championship play-off final. The pair were on the losing side as a Levi Colwill own goal gave Forest victory at Wembley.

Forest win race for Lewis O’Brien and Toffolo

O’Brien and Toffolo both had impressive campaigns, leading to plenty of links with other English teams. O’Brien became a target for Leeds, West Ham and Crystal Palace, among others.

Toffolo, meanwhile, has been on Middlesbrough and Blackburn’s radars.

O’Brien will compete with the likes of Jack Colback, Ryan Yates, Cafu and Harry Arter for a place in Cooper’s starting eleven.

Toffolo will improve the Welshman’s options on the left side of defence. Richards and Nikolas Ioannou are also available there.

Forest officials will believe spending big is their best bet for staying up. It has allowed them to improve their squad from Championship level to seeming top-flight competitors.

However, this method doesn’t always work – take Fulham for example. In summer 2018 they spent just shy of £100m, including moves for Andre Anguissa, Alfie Mawson and Jean Michael Seri.

The Cottagers went on to finish in 19th place, forcing them to go back down to the Championship. Only a dismal season from Huddersfield prevented them from finishing in 20th.

Forest will be hoping to avoid a repeat of this when they take part in their first Premier League campaign since 1998-99.