Nottingham Forest Sign Daniel Muñoz for £22m: A Strategic Move

Nottingham Forest have moved decisively in the final days of the window, sealing a deal for Crystal Palace right wing-back Daniel Muñoz in a move worth up to £22m.

The Colombia international signs a three-year contract at the City Ground, with an option for a fourth, and walks straight into familiar territory. He is reunited with Oliver Glasner, the coach who helped turn him into a key figure at Selhurst Park, and now looks to do the same in red.

Forest land a proven winner

Forest are not buying potential. They are buying a player who has already delivered when the stakes were high.

Muñoz played a central role in Palace’s Conference League and FA Cup triumphs, his relentless running and aggression down the right flank becoming a hallmark of Glasner’s side. That edge now belongs to Forest, who have been reshaping their squad again as they try to push clear of the relegation traffic and look upwards.

The fee represents smart business for Palace too. They signed Muñoz from Genk for £8.5m in January 2024 and now bank a healthy profit, helped by the timing of their own recruitment.

The door only really opened when Palace brought in Anan Khalaili from Union Saint-Gilloise. Once that deal was in motion, Muñoz’s exit went from possibility to reality.

Palace shut the door on Henderson

Forest’s raid on Selhurst Park stops with Muñoz.

Despite reports last week of a Forest bid for Palace captain and goalkeeper Dean Henderson, the answer from south London has been emphatic: he is not leaving before the deadline.

Palace intend to build around Henderson and back new head coach Pierre Sage, not strip away his leaders. With Muñoz gone and Khalaili in, the club view their outgoing business as effectively done, at least where Forest are concerned.

Forest still hunting firepower

Muñoz may be through the door, but Forest’s work is not finished.

They are in the market for forwards after Omari Hutchinson’s move to AC Milan, and Jacob Murphy has emerged as a late-window target. Forest admire the Newcastle winger and have shown interest earlier in the summer, with Everton also among the clubs to monitor his situation.

Newcastle have not yet received a formal approach from Forest, but their own plans hint at movement. They are exploring forward options including Lille’s Matias Fernandes Pardo and Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss, a sign that the attacking carousel could start to spin before the deadline.

One Forest exit is already gathering pace. Eintracht Frankfurt are in talks to re-sign Arnaud Kalimuendo on loan after his successful spell there in the second half of last season. The new proposal includes the possibility of a permanent option. Kalimuendo was left out of Forest’s matchday squad for the 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Saturday, a clear indication that the club are preparing for his departure.

Not every deal is progressing. A proposed move for Harrison Armstrong from Everton has collapsed, with the Everton board unanimous in their decision to keep the player despite Forest’s approach.

Palace’s late-window puzzle

While Forest juggle incomings and outgoings, Palace are threading a more complex needle.

They are close to an agreement with Atalanta for Honest Ahanor on a season-long loan, in a move that forms part of a wider three-club plan. The expectation is that Ahanor will join Chelsea permanently next summer for around £40m, after spending the season at Selhurst Park.

The structure is unusual but necessary. Chelsea cannot loan Ahanor directly to Palace because Axel Disasi is already on loan there, so Palace turn to Atalanta as the bridge to secure a player they believe can make an immediate impact under Sage.

Not every Palace player is on the move, no matter how strong the interest. Ismaila Sarr wants to leave before the deadline, and Liverpool have made an approach as they weigh up wide attacking options, with Yankuba Minteh at Brighton also under consideration.

Palace’s stance is firm. Sarr is not for sale and remains under contract until 2029. He has missed the first two games of the season through injury, but the club see him as central to their medium-term plans, not a late-window bargaining chip.

The clock now ticks towards Tuesday’s 11pm deadline. Forest have their new right flank warrior, Palace have cashed in and reshaped, and both clubs still have moves to make.

The question is simple: who finishes this frantic window stronger than they started it?