The latest transfer news as Nottingham Forest consider a bombshell Aston Villa swoop.

Nottingham Forest are exploring a surprise deal to re-sign Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash on a permanent transfer, according to a reputable report.

Forest are in the market to strengthen the right side of defence before the end of the summer window, which slams shut on September 1. Efforts have been made to sign Manchester City academy product Rico Lewis, but such a deal could prove to be expensive and alternatives are being sought.

Nuno Espirito Santo, who led Forest to an impressive seventh-placed Premier League finish last term, ending the Nottingham club’s 30-year wait for European football. Europa Conference League action was on the cards until Crystal Palace were demoted from the Europa League, and Forest took their place.

Nottingham Forest eye £14m Aston Villa defender

As Villa have discovered themselves in recent seasons, squad depth is pivotal when embarking on lengthy campaigns in European competition. Forest, who boast a back four of Ola Aina, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic and Neco Williams, had the sixth-best defensive record in the Premier League last term but there aren’t many backups.

Cover at full-back is particularly light. To rectify that, The Athletic reports Cash has emerged as an option. Villa are yet to receive a formal approach but Forest have shortlisted Cash, who left the City Ground for Villa Park back in 2022 for a £14 million fee, ahead of a possible romantic return.

Birmingham World understands Villa are reluctant to lose Cash, who played 38 times across all competitions last campaign. Villa are themselves looking to add numbers on the right side of defence, so it makes no sense to let one of their existing options leave. Talks have been held in recent months over extending Cash’s contract, too, as his current deal expires in June 2027.

Aston Villa defender closing in on transfer

Meanwhile, another Villa full-back is nearing an exit. Left-back Alex Moreno, who coincidentally spent last season on loan with Forest, is now closing in on a move to Spanish La Liga club Girona. This is according to Birmingham Live, with a report suggesting it’s unclear at this stage whether Moreno is to leave permanently or just on loan.

As Moreno’s contract is up in less than 12 months, that technicality makes very little difference to Girona. It does change things for Villa, though, as they seek to recoup some of the £13 million fee they paid to sign Moreno from Real Betis back in January 2023.

Birmingham World understands Villa have been making efforts to get fringe players off the books in order to reduce their overall wage bill. The Villans have already been fined by UEFA for failing to meet the European body’s squad cost rules (SCR) and a promise has been made to lower player costs ahead of the upcoming campaign in the Europa League.

Moreno, if and when he seals his move to Girona, will follow several others who have already completed transfers away. Villa have already sanctioned permanent exits for Philippe Coutinho, Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Leander Dendoncker.

Meanwhile, academy product Jacob Ramsey has joined Newcastle United for around £39 million plus add-ons and Leon Bailey has moved to AS Roma on loan with an option to buy.