Nottingham Forest’s £199m most expensive XI of all-time - including ex-Newcastle, Wolves and Man Utd stars

Nottingham Forest have continued to exceed expectations in this season’s Premier League and head into the second half of the campaign looking to secure qualification for European competition.

Almost three decades have passed since the City Ground last hosted continental opposition after Forest were knocked out of the UEFA Cup by German giants Bayern Munich - but Sunday’s 2-0 win at Everton has only enhanced the belief Forest supporters could be digging out their passports once again come the end of the season.

The remarkable improvement shown over the last 12 months has some of its roots in what has been an impressive spell in the transfer market as Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad has been strengthened with a number of eye-catching additions. Club record signings have been made, supposed bigger clubs have been plundered and some shrewd additions have been completed - but who would make a starting eleven made up of Forest’s most expensive signings of all-time?

Goalkeeper - Matt Turner

The fact Turner is currently on loan at Crystal Palace should probably tell you everything you need to know about the success of this particular deal. With Forest crying out for a first-choice goalkeeper, a reported £6m deal was agreed with Arsenal and the 49-times capped United States international moved to the City Ground. After keeping just three clean sheets in 21 appearances, Turner has since been replaced by Matz Sels and is struggling to make an impact during his season-long loan spell at Selhurst Park. As it stands, the American has made just one appearances for the Eagles and that came in a Carabao Cup win against Aston Villa in October.

Right-back - Neco Williams

A £16m offer was enough to tempt Liverpool into selling their academy product during the summer of 2022 and Williams has gone on to establish himself in the Forest side with a string of impressive performances. In making over 80 appearances over the course of the last two seasons, Williams has become a firm favourite at the City Ground and has become a key player for club and country.

Left-back - Omar Richards

The once-capped England Under-21 international was a surprise signing for Bayern Munich after joining the Bundesliga giants when his Reading contract came to an end during the summer of 2021. However, he returned to England when he made a £6m move to Forest less than 12 months later. Richards is yet to make a competitive appearance for the club after spending time on loan at Olympiakos and Rio Ave over the last 18 months.

Centre-back - Murillo

The Brazilian defender has arguably been one of Forest’s best signings of an increasingly hectic spell in the transfer market in recent seasons. A £9m deal was enough to secure the signing of the Corinthians star during the summer of 2023 and he has gone on to make over a half-century of appearances for Forest. There have been some links with some of the Premier League’s perceived leading lights - but Murillo remains a key part of Nuno’s plans.

Centre-back - Nikola Milenković

A summer signing that appears to have taken Forest on to another level and one that has provided a solid base alongside the man that preceded him on this list. A £9m deal secured the signing of the Fiorentina centre-back and he has already proven his ability to cope with life in the Premier League with a number of impressive performances as Forest continue to exceed expectations at the top end of the division.

Midfield - Elliot Anderson

There was some surprise when Forest were able to take full advantage of Newcastle’s battle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations by landing a reported £40m deal for Magpies academy product Anderson. The club record move has paid off as the England Under-21 midfielder has eased into life in the City Ground and has provided Nuno with energy and quality in abundance in the middle of the park. That £40m already looks a snip.

Midfield - Ibrahim Sangare

Forest paid £30m to land the powerful midfielder during the summer of 2023 after he impressed during his three-year stay with PSV Eindhoven. After an impressive first season at the City Ground, there was a strong belief Sangare would continue to grow during his second season in the Premier League - but a hamstring injury has limited him to just four appearances in all competitions during the first half of the current campaign.

Midfield - Morgan Gibbs-White

With the benefit of hindsight, it seems remarkable that some scoffed when Forest made an offer that could increase to £42m to land the Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder in the summer of 2022. At that point, Gibbs-White was the club’s record signing and he has more than lived up to that tag as his impressive performances led to him becoming a key part of the Forest side and earned the midfielder his first senior caps for England.

Right wing - Anthony Elanga

The Manchester United winger already had a fine reputation before he joined Forest in a £15m deal in July 2023. Since moving to the City Ground, Elanga has scored eight goals and provided 11 assists in 58 appearances in all competitions - but the stats only really tell half of the story after his pace and directness became a key asset for Nuno.

Left wing - Ramon Sosa

The Paraguay international joined Forest in a £9m deal during the summer but is yet to really acclimatise to life in the Premier League. Sosa has made just one start and that came in the Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Newcastle United in August - but has otherwise had to settle for several substitute appearances during the first half of his maiden season in England.

Striker - Taiwo Awoniyi

The former Liverpool striker was a £17m signing when he was persuaded to leave Bundesliga side Union Berlin to join Forest in June 2022. Although he now finds himself providing backup to the in-form Chris Wood and not finding the net in the league this season, the eight-times capped Nigeria international has a respectable record of 17 goals and four assists in 67 appearances.