Nottingham Forest break British transfer record but fail to sign Michy Batshuayi
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Michy Batshuayi has won 45 caps for Belgium, scoring 25 goals
Nottingham Forest have broken the British record for most signings in a single transfer window after an unprecedented summer of deals.
The newly promoted Premier League side signed three players on Thursday to take their total to 21.
The signed centre-back Willy Boly from Wolves, defender Loic Bade from Rennes and winger Josh Bowler from Blackpool.
However, Forest's hopes of bringing in 28-year-old Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea fell through.
Batshuayi, who joined the Blues in 2016 and has had five loan spells at other clubs, is out of contract at the end of the season.
Nevertheless, Forest have surpassed the previous British record of 19 signings, held jointly by Dundee United in the summer of 2000 and Livingston in 2001, according to football website Transfermarkt., external
The English record was previously held by Crystal Palace in the summer of 2013, with 17 signings. The Eagles added another five players to their squad in the winter transfer window to take their total for that season to 22.
Why have Forest signed so many players?
Manager Steve Cooper needed to strengthen the squad, having lost several key players from the side that won the Championship play-off final.
Five left on free transfers, while first-choice goalkeeper Brice Samba joined Lens after rejecting a new contract.
Djed Spence, James Garner, Philip Zinckernagel, Max Lowe and Keinan Davis - who were all at the City Ground on loan - have either returned to their parent clubs or joined other sides.
Forest have spent big on several players including attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White from Wolves for £25m, striker Taiwo Awoniyi from FC Union Berlin and defender Neco Williams from Liverpool for £18m apiece, and forward Emmanuel Dennis from Watford for £13m.
They have also brought in midfielder Orel Mangala and centre-back Moussa Niakhate from Bundesliga clubs Stuttgart and Mainz respectively, along with right-back Giulian Biancone and central midfielder Remo Freuler.
Forest have remarkably brought in three left-backs - Renan Lodi on loan from Atletico Madrid, plus Omar Richards from Bayern Munich and Harry Toffolo from Huddersfield. They also signed central midfielder Lewis O'Brien from the Championship side.
Three free transfers were made - Jesse Lingard, Cheikhou Kouyate and Wayne Hennessey - while goalkeeper Dean Henderson arrived on loan from Manchester United.
Brandon Aguilera and Hwang Ui-jo were also signed permanently but immediately sent on loan, to LD Alajuelense and Olympiakos respectively.
Boly, Bade and Bowler complete Forest moves
On Thursday's transfer deadline day, Ivory Coast defender Boly was Forest's 19th signing. The left-footed centre-back, who can play in a back three or four, has signed a two-year deal.
Boly, 31, failed to turn up for Wolves' game against Newcastle on Sunday, despite being included in the matchday squad, as he pushed for the move to the City Ground.
"I'm very excited to have a new adventure with this club," said Boly.
"I spoke to Morgan Gibbs-White [former team-mate at Wolves] before I came and I'd seen the spirit of the team and he said I'd love it because it is a big club - the fans and everyone wants to go in the same direction.
"I watched the game against Tottenham and the spirit of the team really impressed me. I was listening to the fans in that game and they were unbelievable."
Willy Boly scored nine goals in 147 games for Wolves
Boly spent four years at Wolves, making 147 appearances in all competitions.
Forest, who are playing in the Premier League for the first time in 23 years, have taken four points from their first five games, but were thrashed 6-0 at Manchester City on Wednesday.
The result means they have conceded 11 goals overall and Cooper clearly wanted further defensive reinforcements.
Boly will be available for Forest's game against fellow promoted side Bournemouth on Saturday (15:00 BST).
The record-setting 20th signing was Bowler, in a deal believed to be worth about £4m.
The 23-year-old, who has scored two goals in seven Championship games this season, has immediately been sent on a season-long loan to Greek side Olympiakos.
Bowler signed for Blackpool in June 2021 and scored seven league goals.
Arrival number 21 was Rennes defender Bade on loan, with an option for a permanent deal.
'Forest will be seriously scaring people'
So, after a complete rebuild of the squad, just how will Cooper and his side fare?
"Forest will be fine that is for sure. They have done fantastic business. Sometimes you can buy too many players but Forest have brought in the right players," said former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison.
Jamie Carragher said strengthening in the market "does not guarantee anything" but there will be a "real fear for other clubs".
The former Liverpool and England defender added: "Forest are bringing players off the bench who cost £40m - they have real strength in depth and it will be a big worry for teams who expect promoted teams to go down.
"I think Forest will be seriously scaring people."
And ex-Forest striker Robert Earnshaw said: "They needed to build a squad that represents them in the Premier League. I think they are doing it right. Will they stay up? I think so."
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