'The next step': Micah Richards pinpoints the position Nottingham Forest simply must strengthen this summer

05/14/2024 04:30 AM

Nottingham Forest will be playing Premier League action once again next season, barring a freak set of results this weekend.

Luton Town's defeat at West Ham United over the weekend means Forest are almost there in terms of survival.

Against the backdrop of points deductions and refereeing nightmares, Forest have all but secured a third straight season of Premier League action.

Forest have had to battle against the drop in both campaigns so far and fans will be hoping for a step forward next season.

Nuno Espirito Santo will be looking for a big summer window in order to kick on again and key signings will be needed.

Forest need to be sensible though; another deadline day trolley dash of seven signings just won't be good enough this time around.

Micah Richards on Nottingham Forest transfer need

Forest may well face interest in players like Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo, and one big sale could be key to a big window.

Nobody wants to see quality players leave the club but Forest will need to balance the books after a run-in with the Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Forest will need strengthening in multiple areas and Micah Richards has pointed out a big need.

Richards, speaking on The Rest is Football, has pinpointed that Forest need another striker to take the 'next step'.

Richards likes Chris Wood as a hold-up striker and noted Taiwo Awoniyi's presence in the ranks too, but the Nigerian has suffered injury problems this season.

The former Manchester City defender wants to see another striker arrive at the City Ground in order for Forest to kick on next season, seemingly feeling that Wood and Awoniyi simply isn't enough.

"I think to go to the next step for Forest, Wood is a really good option in terms of holding it up, but I think they need a little bit more than that as well. I know they have Awoniyi as well but I think they need another striker as well to kick on next season," said Richards.

Striking changes inevitable

Wood and Awoniyi may well start next season at Forest but there will be changed behind them.

Divock Origi is on loan from AC Milan but has not done enough to earn an extended stay at the City Ground.

Portuguese Rodrigo Ribeiro is also on loan at Forest having arrived from Sporting in January.

The 19-year-old has only made three Premier League appearances and it's unclear whether he will end up joining permanently this summer.

Forest fans simply haven't seen enough of Ribeiro to know whether he can make a Premier League impact next season and a new striker should be on the radar.

Going for a striker with Premier League experience like Origi made sense but it just hasn't worked out and Forest need to have striking options in mind ahead of next season.

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