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Nuno Espirito Santo has been in charge of Nottingham Forest since December 2023 Boss Nuno Espirito Santo has questioned Nottingham Forest's recruitment process in a surprise swipe at the club. The Portuguese is unhappy with the speed of Forest's transfer business and feels the squad is ill-equipped to handle a European campaign. Forest could spend close to £100m on Manchester City midfielder James Mc Atee, Ipswich winger Omari Hutchinson and Rennes forward Arnaud Kalimuendo in the next 48 hours, while there is also interest in Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz. Yet, before Sunday's Premier League opener with Brentford at the City Ground, Nuno outlined his fears over the lack of signings. "Dealing with doubts is the worst thing you can have in football, " he said, having guided Forest to seventh last season. Forest agree double deal for Hutchinson & Mc Atee Forest in advanced talks for Rennes' Kalimuendo "We have doubts, who is going to be [here], when are they [new signings] going to come? All these things create doubts. "Not only me but in the club. What we want is game-by-game to have as many options as possible. Europe will come after, and for sure it will be better, but for now until that happens it is a major concern. "The owner is aware, the club is aware, everyone is aware. Everybody knows the reality. This is a lost chance that we had as a group to do it. " Forest have signed striker Igor Jesus and defender Jair Cunha from Botafogo, Bologna winger Dan Ndoye and goalkeeper Angus Gunn, but Nuno wants at least another goalkeeper, a full-back, winger and striker. They sold Anthony Elanga to Newcastle for an initial £55m but Morgan Gibbs-White signed a new contract despite Tottenham trying to sign the midfielder, which left Forest considering legal action. , external Forest will compete in the Europa League this season, returning to Europe for the first time in 30 years, but Nuno feels even the players are concerned. "They are very smart, they know how we operated last season and the way we established ourselves with the dynamic of the work, " he said. "This season is different, and then doubts and questions come in. As human beings we can sort problems, but we can't solve doubts. "There are players here who know they are going out on loan. Our pre-season was very, very bad. We didn't win one game and scored one goal. "You think I'm going to be happy and comfortable here, thinking of that with the expectation? "The players are not supermen, we are going to need to rotate them. That's a major problem with the intensity and demands of the games. " Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Why Liverpool's spending spree has piled pressure and scrutiny on Slot Bethell to become England's youngest men's captain Sutton's opening-weekend predictions v Tom Grennan and AI Jeremy, Richard and James embark on an epic road trip across Vietnam The inside story of the CIA continues Was Lucy Letby rightfully convicted? Are women-only dating advice groups helpful or harmful? Sutton's opening-weekend predictions v Tom Grennan and AI Why Liverpool's spending spree has piled pressure and scrutiny on Slot Rooney on 'scary' 2010 visit from balaclava-clad men Red Roses partner with Barbie before World Cup Smith hits fifty as Spirit end Rockets' perfect start. Video Smith hits fifty as Spirit end Rockets' perfect start A bold new era of football on BBC Sport: Your game, your season Premier League predictions 2025-26: BBC Sport pundits pick their top four How will your club fare? Phil Mc Nulty's Premier League predictions Watch: Mic'd up Livingstone captains team in real time. Video Watch: Mic'd up Livingstone captains team in real time What's new in the Premier League this season? Wildcards, breakouts and new faces - 22 Premier League players to watch 'He has made young players dream' - the making of Liverpool icon Salah What is multi-club ownership in football? Video What is multi-club ownership in football? Lewandowski, Man Utd and the transfer that got away. Video Lewandowski, Man Utd and the transfer that got away Why have Ferrari been unable to win a title since 2008? Owners worth billions, so why might Red Bull era dawn slowly at Newcastle? When England won by two runs - the greatest ever Test match? Video When England won by two runs - the greatest ever Test match? Becky Zerlentes - the first female boxer to die in fight in US Hansie Cronje, match-fixing and plane crash that left a complex legacy Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.