Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo wants club to stay at City Ground

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo said the City Ground was "special"

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo says he hopes the club plays at the City Ground "forever" after a rent row left a question mark over its future.

The club said it could move to a new location after Nottingham City Council demanded more in rent.

The Premier League club's boss described the stadium as "special".

Nottinghamshire County Council says it is "more than happy" to offer a new site if the club opts to relocate.

The stadium is sited on land leased from Nottingham City Council and talks over an extension have stalled after the authority demanded higher fees.

Speaking ahead of his team's Premier League match against Luton on Saturday, the Portuguese manager said it would be "impossible" to replicate the City Ground's atmosphere at a new stadium.

"Special places are made through history, that's why they become special," he said. "That's why the City Ground is special.

"The City Ground has been our home forever, I would love to stay and play in the City Ground forever."

Planning permission for an expansion of the City Ground was granted in 2022

Nottinghamshire County Council has offered to explore other options with Forest if they choose to move.

The Independent Alliance opposition group suggested land near Toton could be an alternative after the row broke out when the club was told their £250,000 a year rent could increase to £1m.

The land was previously earmarked for a rail hub serving HS2, the Nottinghamshire leg of which has been scrapped.

Keith Girling, the county council's cabinet member for economic development, told the BBC they had been communicating with the club for some time.

"We'd be more than happy to explore options with Forest, as with any business or developer", he said. "We recognise the value of them to the local economy.

"Hypothetically, if that land at Toton is suitable, of course we'd be interested."

'A last resort'

A motion on the subject is due to be discussed at a County Council meeting next week.

Ashfield Independent councillor David Martin, who proposed the motion, said: "It's clear that as a county council we need to reach out to the club who are an economic powerhouse for our county.

"Toton already has the infrastructure including a tram stop and railway station.

"Any new stadium at Toton will far surpass the current capacity of the City Ground.

"If Nottinghamshire County Council were serious about helping the club expand - then exploring options at this stage is eminently sensible and would only be a last resort."

Meanwhile, David Mellen, the leader of Nottingham City Council, says he does not want Forest to move away from the City Ground but a rent increase is "only fair".