Report: Nottingham Forest Have ‘Made Contact’ to Sign Aston Villa Star | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest Target Matty Cash as Summer Spending Continues at Pace

Nottingham Forest have opened discussions with Aston Villa over a potential deal for right-back Matty Cash, according to The Daily Mail. The 28-year-old Poland international, who previously made 141 appearances for Forest before his move to Villa Park in 2020, has emerged as a serious target as the club looks to reinforce its defensive options ahead of their return to European competition this season.

Cash’s possible homecoming would mark a major step in Nuno Espirito Santo’s ambitious squad reshaping. Club officials have reached out to Villa to gauge the possibility of a deal, although talks are said to be in the early stages.

Forest have also submitted an offer for Sevilla’s 23-year-old right-back Jose Angel Carmosa, who featured 35 times in LaLiga last season. Carmosa, a technically sound and tactically astute defender, has developed rapidly since breaking into the first team in 2022, including loan stints at Elche and Getafe.

With both names actively in the frame, Forest’s intent to bolster their right side of defence could result in one of their most intriguing deals of the summer.

Photo: IMAGO

£140 Million Spree Signals Clear European Ambition

Evangelos Marinakis has backed Espirito Santo aggressively in the market, investing over £140 million in an overhaul that includes standout names like Jair Cunha, Igor Jesus, James McAtee, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Dan Ndoye and Omari Hutchinson.

Hutchinson joined from Ipswich Town earlier this week for £37.5 million, signing a five-year deal. Meanwhile, Kalimuendo’s £26 million move from Rennes raised eyebrows after a prolific 18-goal season in Ligue 1.

Both players signal a clear shift towards securing young, high-upside talent, aimed at sustaining domestic form while managing the additional demands of European football.

Luiz Deal with Juventus Could Prove Shrewd

In a significant development, former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz is expected to join Forest on loan from Juventus.

“The Brazilian midfielder only left Unai Emery’s side last summer but has struggled to adjust to life in Serie A,” The Daily Mail reports, having made 27 appearances for the Bianconeri.

The deal includes a performance-based purchase clause, valued at £26 million, triggered by the number of appearances Luiz makes at the City Ground. If he finds rhythm and regular minutes, the clause could be activated swiftly.

This kind of structure shows a pragmatic side to Forest’s business—minimising risk while offering high potential reward.

Right-Back Search Could Define Defensive Balance

The attention on Cash and Carmosa underlines Forest’s recognition that success in Europe will require depth and defensive consistency.

Cash, with Premier League experience and a proven affinity with the club, would be a fan-favourite return. Carmosa, on the other hand, brings a continental flair and youth that could mature well under Espirito Santo’s system.

Whether one or both arrive remains to be seen, but there’s no mistaking Forest’s intent: this is a club building for more than just top-flight survival.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As a Forest fan, this kind of ambition is exactly what we’ve been waiting to see. Bringing in someone like Matty Cash would be special—not just because he’s quality, but because of the connection he has with the club. He gave everything in a Forest shirt, and there’s no doubt fans would welcome him back with open arms.

The summer spending shows that Marinakis means business. To drop £140 million and still be chasing new signings shows how serious we’re taking our return to European football. We’ve got youth, pace and creativity coming into the squad. Omari Hutchinson and Kalimuendo both look like future stars.

The potential arrival of Douglas Luiz could be the key piece we’ve been missing in midfield. He’s got Premier League pedigree and could offer that calm control we need against top sides. And the fact that it’s a loan with an option means it’s smart business. If it works, great. If not, we’re not stuck.

Seeing Forest go after players like Cash and Carmosa shows we’re not just trying to survive anymore. We’re aiming higher. And after years in the wilderness, that feels incredible.