REPLAY: August 2017 transfer deadline day for Nottingham Forest, Notts County and Mansfield Town

By
Jake Brigstock
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deadline,day,transfer,nottingham,forest,football,club,nffc,notts,county,mansfield,town

Nottingham Forest were expected to be the busiest club on deadline day with manager Mark Warburton saying one or two signings were still ‘close’.

Rumours circulated the Reds were looking for a defender after having failed to keep a clean sheet since the opening day of the season.

Notts County had not ruled out themselves out of doing business on deadline day and had been linked this month to a new striker.

Mansfield Town manager Steve Evans had said a midfielder and a striker may be going to Field Mill on deadline day along with ‘two or three’ players going out on loan.

Here’s how the day unfolded.

23:20 And that late announcement concludes our transfer deadline day blog. Thank you for staying with us throughout the day – we do it all again in January!

23:15 The Stags confirm that’s it for their deadline day dealings.

23:13 Mansfield Town have announced centre-back George Taft has gone out on loan to fellow League 2 side Cambridge United.

The 24-year-old joined the Stags last summer but picked up a serious hamstring injury in September 2016.

Taft returned to action in March and made a total of 14 first team appearances in the 2016/17 season.

The former Leicester City man was handed a new deal in May, but has found first team opportunities limited in the current campaign, making his first appearance in Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy defeat to Lincoln City.

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George Taft has joined Cambridge United on loan (Picture: Mansfield Town FC)

23:07 To recap – Nottingham Forest signed Adam Federici on a loan from Bournemouth until January 2018 and terminated Lica’s contract by mutual consent who then went to sign for Granada. Mansfield Town signed former Spurs midfielder Calum Butcher after his contract was terminated by mutual consent with Millwall. And Notts County didn’t do anything.

23:03 Notts County chairman Alan Hardy has issued a deadline day message to fans. The Magpies did not make any signings nor sell anyone today.

He said: “My second transfer window at the helm is now at an end – and what a different experience it was to my first!

“Back in January we faced a mad dash to exit our transfer embargo before bolstering the squad with a number of late signings to give Kevin Nolan the best possible chance of keeping us in the EFL.

“He comfortably achieved that, as he promised he would, setting us up nicely for the summer.

“This window, we were keen to get the bulk of our business done early to allow our new signings to settle in properly before the season began and to help the manager and his coaching staff formulate a strong plan for the season ahead.

“I’m delighted with the way our business has panned out and I believe our position in the top seven is a good reflection of the positive strides we’ve made in the transfer market.

“No doubt many of you will have been keeping an eager eye on our website and social media today in the hope of some exciting news, but Kevin and I are happy with our squad and saw no reason to add to it today.

“We will continue to explore targets with a view to January but, as always, our selection process will be carefully thought-out with the best interests of the club at heart.

“We have faith in this group and believe they are getting better day after day.

“Your support, which has been magnificent so far this season, will be vital in helping the players reach their full potential.

“Stick with us and let’s see how far we can go.”

Alan Hardy’s first press conference as Notts County owner

23:00 THE TRANSFER WINDOW IS CLOSED!

22:55 Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has signed for Brighton on a loan deal – he was linked with Nottingham Forest earlier today.

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Tim Krul (Picture: Brian Minkoff cc-by-sa-4.0)

22:45 Just 15 minutes now until the window closes!

22:38 After being linked with Nottingham Forest earlier this evening, Rangers striker Joe Dodoo has signed for Charlton Athletic on a loan deal.

22:30 With half-an-hour to go, it’s safe to say it’s been a quiet one for our clubs across the county…

22:29 Crystal Palace are interested in signing Bronby and Danish international goalkeeper Frederik Ronnow – who Nottingham Forest tried to sign earlier today…

22:13 Reports emerging that Notts County had made one last push to sign Forest striker Tyler Walker on loan – but the Reds confirmed he will stay at the City Ground.

22:00 Just one hour to go now! Only 60 minutes for our clubs to wrap up and last minute deals. Keep it with us for all the latest!

21:44 Not the best night for Notts County’s Liam Walker – Gibraltar lost 9-0 in Belgium after both sides finished with 10 men.

21:25 It looks as though Nottingham Forest will not be successful in their pursuit for Hibernian midfielder John McGinn, according to reports. The Reds are thought to have offered up to £1.5m for the Scotland international but were unable to reach an agreement with the Edinburgh club over the fee. It is thought manager Neil Lennon values him at around £5m.

21:09 Former Forest midfielder Gary Gardner has joined Barnsley on loan from Aston Villa.

21:00 Just two hours until the summer window slams shut! We’ve now had two, yes TWO, signings for our three clubs now.

20:42 Ouch… Rather him than me.

20:38 DONE DEAL! One for Nottingham Forest – the Reds have announced the signing of Adam Federici on a loan deal until January 2018.

The 32-year-old began his career in England with Reading in 2005, gaining experience out on loan at several clubs before making his first-team debut in 2007.

Federici, who has 16 caps for Australia, went on to make more than 200 league appearances for the Royals in a ten-year stay, including being an integral part of the side that reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 2015 ahead of his move to Bournemouth.

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Adam Federici has signed for Nottingham Forest on a loan deal until January (Picture: Nottingham Forest)

20:28 Here’s what John Radford makes of the latest Mansfield Town signing.

20:21 Doesn’t look like there’ll be much happening with Notts County if owner Alan Hardy’s Tweet is anything to go by…

20:00 Only three hours to go now – we had to wait a while for the first signing for any of our three clubs but we got there! Could there be more on the way?

19:54 DONE DEAL! At last! Mansfield Town have confirmed the signing of midfielder Calum Butcher. The 26-year-old signed for Millwall in 2016 and made 30 appearances, scoring twice before his contract was terminated by mutual consent earlier today. He graduated from the Tottenham youth academy in 2009 and has previously played for the Spurs senior team, Dundee United and Burton Albion.

Calum said: “There were other clubs in for me but after speaking with the manager and what he’s trying to build, it was a no brainer.

“I insisted to my agent that we get the deal done as soon as possible. I’m really happy to get it done.

“The club’s ambition, where it’s going and where it wants to be, and working with a manager like Steve who knows how to win promotions made me want to sign.”

“I like to break forward and hopefully score some goals. I want to bring a bit of everything to the side this season.

“I’m more of an attacking midfielder, I like to get in the box and get on the end of things and break forward.”

“I have a young family who’ll be moving up with me. I want to get settled as soon as possible, hit the ground running and stamp my authority on the side.”

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Calum Butcher has signed for Mansfield Town (Credit: Mansfield Town FC)

19:42 Lica, whose contract was terminated by mutual consent with Nottingham Forest earlier today, has joined Spanish Segunda Division side Granada.

19:40 Forest frontman Apostolos Vellios starts for Greece who host Estonia in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier – Andreas Bouchalakis has been named on the bench.

19:38 Millwall have confirmed Mansfield target Calum Butcher has had his contract terminated by mutual consent with the London club.

19:18 Team Talk regular and Notts County superfan Adrian Rawden has Tweeted he is expecting a ‘kid’ to sign from a Championship side using the hashtag #Brum…

19:08 Looks like Forest striker Tyler Walker will be staying put at the City Ground despite interest from Notts County taking him on loan, unless the Reds make him available.

19:00 Just four hours to go now – that was a quiet last hour which eventually sprung into life in the final five minutes or so; a sign of things to come? Stay with us to find out.

18:58 Nottingham Forest are reportedly in talks to sign Rangers’ Joe Dodoo on a season long loan deal. That one’s come from nowhere!

18:55 It’s been a quiet hour so far but it looks as though Calum Butcher signing for Mansfield Town is a step closer – he has left Millwall.

18:50 KaKa spotted at Ilkeston Town!


18:15 Notts County midfielder Liam Walker is in the starting XI for Gibraltar tonight who take on Belgium in a World Cup qualifier.

18:00 Just five hours to go!

17:54 26-year-old Calum Butcher signed for Millwall in 2016 and has so far made 30 appearances, scoring twice. He graduated from the Tottenham youth academy in 2009 and has previously played for the Spurs senior team, Dundee United and Burton Albion.

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Calum Butcher may be on his way to Mansfield Town (Credit: Allison Pasciuto, cc-by-sa-2.0)

17:50 Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans has just appeared on Sky Sports News saying Millwall midfielder Calum Butcher is having a medical at Field Mill.

He said: “We’re trying to sign a Millwall player, Calum Butcher, and he’s having a medical as we speak.

“I’ve left it with our CEO Carolyn Radford who has been pulling this together and I’m expecting a call shortly after I’ve finished here.

“Let’s hope she can get it over the line because there are four or five clubs after him.”

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Steve Evans speaking on Sky Sports News (Credit: Sky Sports)

17:43 It looks as though that player may be Bournemouth goalkeeper Adam Federici according to Paul Taylor – the Reds have been searching for a goalkeeper all deadline day…

17:26 Looks like Forest are lining up a loan move for a player – that’s all the information at this time though…

17:21 It’s quiet at Nottingham Forest at the moment – but Forest reporter for the Post Paul Taylor thinks a signing may be on its way to the City Ground later on this evening.

17:07 Notts County are still reported to be interested in a Championship striker but still no official word on any developments as of yet.

17:00 Just six hours to go now until the window closes – stick with us; there may be Nottingham Forest, Notts County or Mansfield Town transfer news yet!

16:44 One for Nottingham Forest fans to keep an eye on – Frederik Ronnow’s agent has not ruled out a deadline day move for the Danish international to play at the City Ground when speaking to the Danish press. The Reds have submitted three bids for the Denmark international but have not yet been able to agree a fee with his current club Brondby.

16:37 Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis McGuigan has left Sheffield Wednesday just two years into a three-year contract. Since he signed permanently in 2015, he made just 12 appearances for the Owls, scoring two goals. During his time at Forest, he made 202 appearances, scoring 40 goals after graduating from the youth team in 2006.

16:22 In some national news, Arsenal have submitted a £92m bid for Monaco’s Thomas Lemar, which comes after Manchester City made another bid of £60m for Alexis Sanchez, including add-ons… One in, one out for the Gunners?

16:15 Chris Breese has gone for a well earned rest, meaning only one thing… Jake Brigstock will be taking you through to the end of deadline day – with the Notts TV blue tie, of course.

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15:57 Another name which is floating around the City Ground rumour mill, albeit mainly on Twitter, is that of Crystal Palace midfielder Jordon Mutch. The 25-year-old has most recently been on loan at Reading. It’s being widely reported he will be on the move today – but Burton Albion are at the front of the queue.

15:37 Some more from Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans on his plan to be busy before the window ends. He has previously said the club is inches away from one deal.

“We need an answer [on one particular signing] from the CEO (Carolyn Radford). If they [Carolyn and John Radford] see we can do this deal then they will help us.

“We want to sign one or two players we think can help us.”

15:24 Looking back to some deadline day classics – back in January Zach Clough nearly missed his move to Forest – because his phone was knackered.

15:08 If McGinn arrives at the City Ground – it will have taken some effort. Here’s Hibs manager Neil Lennon, quoted by the Scottish Sun on Sunday (August 27): “One thing is for sure, they’ll need to come back with far more money than they’re offering at the minute.

“If they do then, fine, that’s a decision the club has to make.

“If other clubs come in, we’ve got a valuation of the player.

“If it’s met, it will be the club’s decision.

“They will do the best for the club and, if it’s an offer they can’t refuse, every player has his price.”

15:01 More now on John McGinn – the Hibernian midfielder reportedly being targeted by Forest. The Scottish Sun says a third bid from Mark Warburton is likely today. Around £1m was thought to be the total of the second. McGinn, 22, has played three times for Scotland.

14:42 While no word yet on where Forest flop Lica will end up after he left the club, here’s pictures of defender Thomas Lam finalising the loan to FC Twente.

14:22 By this time during the final day of the January window, both Stags and Forest had made one signing each, on the day itself, with county on zero at this stage although ultimately they were also busy. Who will surprise us this time around? It’s worth pointing out Forest issued most of their confirmations, including Zach Clough, very late in January.

13:56 This is the Newcastle United writer for local paper The Shields Gazette. Sorry Reds fans. That would’ve been good ‘un, but it would have been a coup.

13:53 The Krul thing is no longer a thing, Forest fans.

13:45 Here’s Robles’ last Tweet. Perhaps he was just starting to run to Forest from the north west. In which case, if he’s only just arriving, he must’ve stopped to pop blisters and Tim Krul’s tyres.

13:35 And as that one apparently winds down, we’re now seeing a couple of reports linking Everton keeper Joel Robles with Forest. Robles has played more than 40 times in the Premier League for in the Merseyside club since moving from Atletico Madrid in 2013 – but is out of favour at Goodison Park.

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Everton Keeper Joel Robles. Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 Tomsk Toffee

13:26 Some cold water for the Tim Krul to Forest line. BBC Radio Nottingham’s main sports presenter says it’s unlikely now.

13:02 One deal floated in July for Forest could be well and truly off. Midfielder Gary Gardner, who has enjoyed two previous City Ground loan spells, is being heavily linked with a move from Villa to Barnsley.

12:41 Another of Twitter’s most beleaguered users today is surely the Nottingham Post’s Forest reporter Paul Taylor. He’s shed light on the keeper front – Forest made another bid for Danish stopper Frederik Ronnow – but the deal is not happening.

12:25 For Notts County fans usually chatty chairman Alan Hardy‘s current deadline day mood can be summed up as follows;

12:19 Stags are also facing off bids from other clubs for two players – a total of three formal bids have been made. ‘No dice’ came the reply from Field Mill.

Evans adds: “The three written offers that came in for the two players have been rejected by our chairman and CEO.

“I expected they would be but we had a brief chat after the game the other night and to be fair, the question as always from our chairman was: ‘do you want to sell them? Do you stand by your valuations? We support you, they’re not going to have them’.”

12:17 More now from Mansfield Town, who so far are by far the most outspoken club on their expected business today. Boss Steve Evans told a press conference this morning the club is close to signing a midfielder, saying: “I think we have won half the battle. His representatives called – I spoke to him yesterday – but they’ve called me this morning and they’ve had two or three options on the table to them.

“The boy’s single preferred choice, after having met two or three managers and met myself, would be to come here, but the deal has to be right.”

12:03 On the national front this has now been done – a deal which could help activity trickle on down through the leagues today.

12:00 Along the A52 Forest’s bitter rivals Derby County are expected to make signings today – here’s one in the mix.

11:50 Here’s a quick update from our sports presenter Owen Shipton on what is the biggest story so far despite no official word yet – the link between Tim Krul and Forest.

“Stranger things have happened on deadline day – and Forest do need a keeper. It’s a position they’ve been looking for reinforcements in for most of the window, but they seem to have been flummoxed on a couple of occasions. Will it happen? They are said to not be the only club interested and Krul could even make a move to a Premier League club – Brighton are said to be sniffing around too.

11:43 Hi yes, hello. Announce [insert anyone’s name]. Please.

11:30 That’s me for the morning! To recap, the only official word we’ve heard from any of the three clubs is from Mansfield Town manager Steve Evans who said the Stags are working on bringing a midfielder and a striker with ‘two or three’ going the other way out on loan. Now over to Chris Breese until 4pm, when I’ll then take you through to the end of the window – until then!

11:12 Reportedly, no bids have been made for Tim Krul as of yet.

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Tim Krul (Picture: Brian Minkoff cc-by-sa-4.0)

11:00 Only 12 hours to go until the window slams shut! Who will the movers and shakers be? Stay with us to find out!

10:50 All a bit quiet in the past half-an-hour or so… We await news of any Mansfield Town transfers as expected by Steve Evans.

10:22 Reports linking Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul to Nottingham Forest…

10:21 Business isn’t done just yet Mansfield Town fans… Manager Steve Evans has said a midfielder may be incoming later today as long as John Radford accepts the offer along with a ‘young striker’ and ‘two or three’ players may be leaving on loan.

10:20 Here’s what Steve Evans had to say.

10:09 Mansfield Town manager Steve Evans has arrived for his press conference.

10:06 Lica made five appearances during his single season at the City Ground. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Portugese club Estoril where he scored one goal in 13 appearances. He made his sole appearance for Portugal in a 3-1 friendly loss to Brazil in the US in 2013 where he came on as a substitute.

10:04 Nottingham Forest midfielder Lica has had his contract terminated by mutual consent. The Reds have thanked him for his time at the club and wished him well for the future.

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Lica’s contract has been terminated by mutual consent

09:50 A rundown of what David Mirfin has had to say in his press conference this morning.

09:42 Mansfield Town defender David Mirfin is speaking ahead of the Stags’ trip to Carlisle on Saturday.

09:38 And that bid has been rejected.

09:33 Former Forest frontman Nelson Oliveira, who scored nine goals in 28 appearances during the 2015/16 season for the Reds, has been bid for by Swansea. The Swans have reportedly made a bid of £12m for the Norwich striker. Swansea have also been linked with City frontman Wilfried Bony amid interest from Chelsea for their Spanish striker Fernando Llorente.

09:25 Forest are still reported to be interested in signing 22-year-old Hibernian midfielder and Scotland international John McGinn despite having a second bid rejected, believed to be in the seven figure region.

09:07 Some news about THAT game at Stamford Bridge – Forest have received an allocation of 4,025 tickets for the trip to Chelsea in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday September 20. The Reds have half of the Shed End.

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Stamford Bridge (Picture: Vespa125125CFC, cc-by-sa-3.0)

09:05 The last time we spoke to Forest manager Mark Warburton, he confirmed that one or two signings were ‘still close’ for the Reds but remained tight-lipped about who they might be.

08:50 Good morning! The Notts TV transfer deadline day blog is up and running! I, Jake Brigstock will be bringing you the latest transfer news from Forest, Notts and Mansfield throughout the morning until 11:30 when Chris Breese will take the reins until 16:00. I’ll then be back to take you through to the close of what’s been a record-breaking transfer window so far with more deals expected!

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