Report: Forest weigh up move for Premier League defender this window | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest Weigh Up Matty Cash Return

Nottingham Forest are exploring the possibility of bringing back a familiar face to the City Ground, with Aston Villa right back Matty Cash emerging as a transfer target. According to The Athletic, Cash is among the options Forest are considering as they look to strengthen the right side of their defence this summer.

Cash and Forest’s defensive priorities

Forest are assessing both experience and potential as they weigh up their next defensive addition. Alongside Cash, the club are also interested in Manchester City’s Rico Lewis, a player viewed as one of the brightest young talents in English football. While Lewis himself has stated he would like to remain at City, Cash appears the more attainable option. His salary would be a significant hurdle, but as The Athletic reported, he represents a “cheaper all-round package than Lewis”.

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A familiar path back to Nottingham

For Forest supporters, the idea of Cash returning home carries emotional weight. He made 141 appearances for the club between 2016 and 2020, contributing 13 goals and 14 assists. His £14 million move to Villa in 2020 marked the end of his early Forest chapter, yet his name has always lingered in connection with the club.

Now 28, Cash has developed into a consistent Premier League defender, registering 181 appearances for Villa and playing a role in their Champions League qualification under Unai Emery. His international career with Poland, capped at the 2022 World Cup, only adds further pedigree.

Villa’s financial realities

Villa’s position in the market has been shaped by UEFA regulations. The Athletic highlighted that the club must adhere to the Squad Cost Rule, which restricts wage expenditure to 71 per cent of overall revenue, down from their previous 91 per cent ratio. That financial pressure has already led to notable departures such as Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey. A sale of Cash would fit the pattern, especially if it allows Villa to add reinforcements elsewhere.

Forest’s summer strategy

Forest have already been proactive in the window with signings including Dan Ndoye, Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee. Adding Cash would balance that influx with a player who understands the club’s identity. His return would not only be a footballing addition, but also a symbolic one, reconnecting supporters with a player who grew into the professional ranks in Nottingham.

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From a Nottingham Forest fan’s perspective, this story feels like more than just a transfer rumour. Matty Cash is one of our own, a player who came through the system, gave his all for the shirt and left at a time when the club were still finding their way back to the top flight. The prospect of him returning now, with Premier League and Champions League experience under his belt, is hugely exciting.

There will naturally be concerns over wages and whether Forest can make the finances work. That said, the point raised in The Athletic that Cash is a more realistic target than Rico Lewis makes sense. We have been guilty in the past of chasing glamour signings that do not quite fit. Cash, however, fits perfectly both in terms of style and sentiment.

If the deal is there to be done, most Forest supporters would welcome Cash home with open arms. It is not about nostalgia alone, it is about building a team with identity, resilience and a player who knows what it means to wear the Garibaldi.