Nottingham Forest have made nearly 50 signings the return to the Premier League last season, with multiple out of contract this summer.
The Reds need to trim the squad, with a number of players on the fringes needing a move to free up money on the wage bill.
Here is our list of three players who should not be offered a new deal at the end of the 2023/24 campaign…
Harry Arter
Quite possibly one of the worst deals the club have ever completed.
The 33-year-old joined the club from Bournemouth in 2020, signing a three-year deal but Arter fell down the pecking order quickly after his arrival.
He hasn’t played a game for the Reds since 2021, with the Irish man going on to have loan spells at Charlton Athletic and Notts County, failing to make an impact at either club.
He signed a new one-year contract when Forest won promotion, as it was a clause in his existing deal – with the midfielder still earning at least £35k-a-week.
Ethan Horvath
The 28-year-old joined on a free during the 2021/22 season, becoming number two behind fan favourite Brice Samba.
The American international has only played six times for the club, before a loan spell to promotion winners Luton Town last season.
They decide against signing the ‘keeper on a permanent basis, with Horvath failing to attract interest elsewhere.
He wasn’t included in Forest’s 25-man Premier League squad this season and with his contract up at the end of the campaign, it looks as though he has already played his last game for the club.
Cheikhou Kouyaté
This may potentially be a controversial shout, but we think Kouyate shouldn’t be offered a new deal when it expires this summer.
The 33-year-old was brought in as a backup player last summer, but since then, the club have invested well into the midfield department – with multiple players ahead of the former Crystal Palace man.
He’s a solid squad player to have but given his age – the club can find a cheaper and younger alternative to be utilised as a squad player.
Kouyate has never put a foot wrong for the Reds, but with the midfielder rumoured to be on £45,000-a-week, it would be best to clear his money off of the wage bill.
