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‘I don’t know anything about that’: Nuno tight-lipped on reports of record Forest bid for Matheus Cunha

By Callum Wright

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Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo says he is in the dark about reports linking Wolves star Matheus Cunha to the City Ground.

Speaking to the media ahead of the Reds’ Saturday clash away to Bournemouth, the Reds boss addressed some of the January transfer rumours surrounding the club.

On Wednesday multiple reports suggested Forest were ready to break their transfer record for Cunha, who is said to be unsettled following criticism of him made by manager Vitor Pereira after Wolves lost at Chelsea on Monday night. Pereira said he did not like Cunha’s body language.

Nuno said: “The club is working, more than anything is working on the aspect to keep our players here because this is the squad that we have, and these are the players that are going to solve all the problems.

“It’s not easy to operate in this market, especially because we only consider options that will improve us.”

Answering a question about the possibility of Cunha moving to the City Ground, he added: “I don’t know anything about that.”

Forest continue to be one of the stories of the season so far, sitting third in the Premier League and on an eight game unbeaten run. Much of the recent talk Trentside has been about the growing culture the club is creating.

“It’s good for us that our players are happy, motivated and committed, there’s no player in our squad that doesn’t have this feeling of improvement,” he said.

“The culture of the club is what the club made so many years ago in the 70s and 80s, this is what the fans dream of; the culture is Forest.”

Nuno also welcomed the new contract signed by defender Murillo, extending his stay in Nottingham until 2029.

“We are delighted that he’s going to be long-term at Forest, he’s a player with immense talent, can improve immensely due to his age,” he said.

Forest are facing a very difficult trip to the south coast on Saturday. Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth sit in seventh and the Cherries hold an almost 10-year unbeaten run against the Reds.

Acknowledging the strength of the opposition, Nuno said: “Very, very good team, the players, the manager, compete very well, not only the previous result they had [1-4 win away at Newcastle] but to all the season.

“It’s a team that’s going to be very tough, very challenging for us.”

Forest’s last fixture saw them avoid a late comeback from Southampton at the City Ground on January 19, beating them 3-2 after a nervy closing period.

Nuno also confirmed Callum Hudson-Odoi is a doubt for the game, having been brought off with a groin injury against the Saints. He will be assessed before Saturday’s game.

The match kicks-off at 3pm on Saturday at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, before Forest return to the City Ground on February 1, to take on Brighton and Hove Albion, followed by their fourth round match of the FA Cup away at Exeter City on February 11.