It’s now considered a serious possibility that Hwang Ui-jo and Josh Bowler could both leave Nottingham Forest without making a single appearance for the club.
Both players were new signings in the summer transfer window of last year. Upon their arrival, however, they were both farmed out to sister club Olympiacos on season-long loans
The decision to loan both players out proved a poor one. Neither player featured much for the Greek giants; with both players heading back to Forest after just six months at the club.
For the second half of the season, Hwang joined FC Seoul, whilst Bowler re-joined Blackpool. Again, both players struggled to get going and ultimately they’re out of sorts as they both have now returned to Forest for pre-season.
Now, with Forest preparing for another season in the Premier League they could be deemed surplus, according to The Athletic. Hwang is now 30 and his signing perhaps looks the most peculiar.
Bowler’s signing did make sense somewhat. Had Forest been relegated, he would have been a proven Championship performer for the Reds to work during 2023/24 and Steve Cooper is a big fan of his.
At 24-years-old, the winger still has time on his side to improve. Another loan might have made sense for him this summer, although the latest reports appear to suggest that a permanent move could be on the cards.
Two Forest players could leave having never made a single appearance
It’s fair to say that Forest’s recruitment isn’t quite mastered just yet. In recent years, it’s become more meticulous but there is still work to do; with Hwang and Bowler examples of that.
The signing of Hwang is just pure bizarre. His goalscoring record with Bordeaux in France is modest at best and given his age, it was always unlikely he’d make much of an impact.
Still, it’s hard to imagine where he might rock up. He didn’t have the best of times back in South Korea and given his age, he’s hardly a sound investment for the future.
It’s no slight on these two players. Moving to Forest would have been seen as a big thing for the players. However, now it looks as though their futures could lie elsewhere.
Three big names could leave Nottingham Forest this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
Steve Cooper is preparing to make room for new signings this window and are focused on getting players out the door first.
Jonjo Shelvey, Emmanuel Dennis and Remo Freuler are the three stars that could be forced out in the coming months and are all considered surplus to requirements.
Forest would be open to permanent moves away for the trio in order to balance the books and ensure they comply with financial fair play regulations.
Shelvey, 31, joined Cooper’s side from Newcastle United in January and put pent to paper on a two-and-a-half year deal with Forest.
Dennis, 25, arrived from Watford last summer for a reported fee of £20million and made just 19 Premier League appearances in the 2022-23 campaign, netting two goals.
Freuler also joined Forest in 2022 on a three-year contract from Italian side Atalanta.
Brennan Johnson is another name that could be on the move in the coming months despite signing a new contract that runs until 2026.
Last month (9 June), Football Insider revealed that Forest are desperate to keep hold of Johnson and are looking to price out any interested parties.
Cooper is believed to be looking to rebuild his Forest side around the 22-year-old in an attempt to turn the club into a force to be reckoned with in the coming seasons.
In other news, Nottingham Forest talks to sign goalkeeper on permanent deal have hit a stumbling block.
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