Nottingham Forest

Image source, Getty Images

Ryan Baldi, BBC Sport

On Thursday, former Tottenham full-back Serge Aurier became the latest player to be linked to Nottingham Forest - he would become their 17th signing of the summer.

Forest have forked out transfer fees totalling almost £150m as they have committed to spending big to boost their hopes of survival in a first top-flight campaign in 23 years. And it appears they are not yet finished, with rumours of further additions in the final week of the transfer window.

But the staggering number of incomings at last season's Championship play-off winners has raised the question of, when it comes to recruiting for Premier League survival, how much is too much?

"The more players you bring in and the more alterations you do, the more difficult it becomes, the more of a gamble you're taking," insists George Burley, who guided Ipswich to promotion in 2000 before finishing fifth in their first campaign back in the top flight.

But while the sheer number of signings to be integrated presents a difficult task for manager Steve Cooper, Phil Brown - who steered Hull City to Premier League promotion in 2008 - believes the Forest boss is a key reason why the club were able to attract so many high-profile arrivals.

"To attract the right kind of player to the football club would depend on the style of football Steve Cooper was going to play," Brown suggests. "I think it was interesting that he got them promoted on a style of football that was getting lots of plaudits from other managers such as Jurgen Klopp. That attracted a lot of attention to Steve Cooper more in particular than Notts Forest.

"An awful lot of managers now, they are huge on how they play and their philosophy about football. That in itself attracts the likes of Jesse Lingard from bigger clubs."

Read more from promoted managers and how many signings they think are too many here

Serge Aurier has agreed a move to Nottingham Forest. The Ivory Coast international left Sevilla at the end of last season and is available on a free transfer. (Foot Mercato - in French), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest: Ben Dore, Dore on Tour, external

Djed Spence had a huge impact last season while on loan from Middlesbrough.

The fans loved him, he fitted in well with the team and he was a focal point of big-club interest based on his performances for Forest.

If he had chosen to sign permanently for us, that would probably have continued, but he made it clear early on that he was only interested in going to Tottenham. Forest moved on quickly to other targets and we got Neco Williams, who is looking like he was probably a better acquisition.

Having said that, after the play-off final win, we would have been really happy for Djed to have signed for us. But it was not to be and now he has to fight for his place in the Spurs squad each week.

Tottenham: Anna Howells, Spurs XY, external

I can see why someone would believe Spence would have been better off signing for Forest, but let me outline why the move to Spurs is better.

Spence played on loan for Forest last season, won lots of accolades and helped get them into the Premier League. He also did himself no harm in the eyes of Tottenham fans when Forest beat Arsenal in the FA Cup.

However, according to Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder, Forest showed no interest in signing him and Tottenham "were the only show in town" for the player.

I don't think it gets much better than Spurs: living in London, playing for and training with a team in the Champions League, learning from the likes of Ivan Perisic and being managed by Antonio Conte.

Spence is yet to make his debut - but, at 22, he has age on his side, plus the speed and strength that Conte likes in his wing-backs. When he was signed, the Italian said: "This player is young but he showed he can become a good, important player for us."

If he puts in the work, Spence can become Conte's first-choice right wing-back in a year or so, fully justifying his decision to join Spurs.

Read the rest of this week's debates here

Nottingham Forest are interested in signing right-back Serge Aurier, who is available on a free transfer after leaving Villarreal. (Sun), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

• Nottingham Forest have won six of their past nine Premier League games against Spurs (D1 L2), though they did lose both matches the last time the sides met in 1998-99.

• After their unbeaten start so far, Tottenham are looking to avoid defeat in their opening four league matches for only the second time in the past 13 seasons. They did so in 2016-17 under Mauricio Pochettino - for the first 12 games - and went on to finish second.

• A goal against Spurs on Sunday would see Forest's Brennan Johnson become the youngest player to score in back-to-back appearances in the Premier League - a record held by Roy Keane (21y 124d in December 1992).

• The Reds are set to be the 32nd different opponent that Tottenham’s Harry Kane has faced in the Premier League - and he has scored against 30 of the previous 31 (except Brentford).

Japhet Tanganga needs to play football so it would be understandable if he is keen to leave Tottenham for Nottingham Forest.

That's the view of Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards who told BBC Radio 5 Live's Transfer Gossip Daily podcast that Forest are "rolling the dice" to establish themselves in the Premier League.

"They've made 16 signings - that's bonkers!" he said. "It goes against all conventional wisdom but may be one of those that throws all wisdom back in my face.

"For Tanganga, he's got really good pedigree and I'm sure he has itchy feet to go and play.

"A move to Forest would be a good one for him because he'd play every week and he would be well managed by Steve Cooper.

"However, there's a big disparity in asking price at the moment so I don't think he will end up going there."

Listen to all of today's transfer gossip over here on BBC Sounds

Nottingham Forest are not close to an agreement for Tottenham's English defender Japhet Tanganga, as AC Milan remain keen on a move for the 23-year-old. (Fabrizio Romano via Twitter), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Image source, Reuters

Steve Cooper says he was proud of his young players after their Carabao Cup win over Grimsby Town.

The Nottingham Forest boss made 11 changes and his side eased into the third round with a 3-0 win at Blundell Park.

Cooper said: "It was great for these players to play and experience it with our away fans, who were great as usual. It was brilliant for the young kids and we are really proud of them.

"It was a good performance and result. We wanted to win the game and there were plenty of plus points.

"We try and train the way we play, but there is nothing like a match when there's an opponent and a crowd."

Saveena Johal, Punjabi Forest, external

The second away game of the season saw us draw against Everton.

Following Brennan Johnson’s goal, an unfortunate late equaliser left us little time to retake the lead. As frustrating as conceding late is, a promising game showed that Forest were in a good position to win.

A draw away in the early stages of the top flight is a good sign.

With the Toffees being favourites to win, their team dominated the post-match conversation. Many claimed they were unlucky, suggesting they were more deserving of a victory.

Perhaps this is based on their establishment in the Premier League as opposed to their performance on the day. Steve Cooper felt we were "much the better team" with a lot of positives to draw from the match.

The initial thrill of having us back seems to have worn off now that it’s clear we’re not here to cruise along near the bottom of the table. Having picked up four points from three games in the Premier League, our mid-table position looks quite appealing.

Now we know away wins are well within our reach, we might even prove to other teams we are far more than just a newcomer to easily pick up points against.

It's another busy week of commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, with live coverage of games across the Premier League and Carabao Cup.

Tuesday, 23 August

• Fleetwood v Everton (19:45)

Wednesday, 24 August

• Tranmere v Newcastle (19:45, Sports Extra)

Saturday, 27 August

• Liverpool v Bournemouth (15:00)

• Arsenal v Fulham (17:30)

Sunday, 28 August

• Aston Villa v West Ham (14:00)

• Wolves v Newcastle (14:00, online only)

• Nottingham Forest v Tottenham (16:30)

All times BST

Steve Cooper says Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie against Grimsby is part of what makes English football so special.

The Forest boss told BBC Radio Nottingham: "It's a brilliant, classic English cup tie, isn’t it? It’s what makes our football in this country so unique at times.

"A lot of people know I worked at Wrexham for over 10 years and have seen many big games there in the cup.

"We’re really looking forward to the game and our approach will be one of the right mentality and looking to get the right returns from the game.

"We step away from the Premier League for a game and put everything into the League Cup and take it very professionally and seriously. We want to play well and we want to win."

Hear more from Cooper on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views after Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 at Goodison Park against Everton.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Mark: Forest fan since 1982-83 like my dad. It's not been this good since the Frank Clark and Stan Collymore days. Half of the signings are making up for the outgoings. Sensible money spent on quality young players, some of whom will go up in value. I like how everyone except Forest fans are writing us off. It's got to make the squad even more determined.

Joel: Poor goal to give away at the end but, as with the West Ham game, we’re matching established Premier League teams with a team that’s not even settled yet. Once we get into a rhythm I think we’ll be more than comfortable at this level.

Joe: I think it is still a good result even with the slight disappointment which was the 88th minute. We are building a team to compete in this league and it will take time for them to gel. Especially in away games without the fans which I think will be the factor in keeping Forest up.

Nik: Great finish from Brennan. Shame we couldn’t hold on for all three points but it’s still a good point. Think we’ll lose our next two league matches so good to have four points on the board.

Watch all the highlights from Saturday's six matches in the Premier League on BBC iPlayer here.

And if you missed Match of the Day 2 with Mark Chapman on Sunday, it's right here.

Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Serge Aurier, with the right-back a free agent after being released by Villarreal. (Footmercato, via Express), external

Forest also want right-back Hans Hateboer from Atalanta. (Tutto Atalanta - in Italian), external

Meanwhile, Wolves have rejected a £1m bid for centre-back Willy Boly from the club. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Want to have your say on today's match at Goodison Park?

Send us your comments here

Alex Bysouth, BBC Sport

Steve Cooper said afterwards his side should have won the game but Frank Lampard also felt that way about Everton's performance, so perhaps a draw was fair.

Nottingham Forest looked to be on their way to a first away victory in the Premier League since 1999 when Brennan Johnson slotted into the far corner after Jordan Pickford parried Ryan Yates' effort.

But they switched off as the England goalkeeper sent Demarai Gray free for the Toffees winger to level.

“We should have won, we were the better team,” said Cooper. “It was a poor goal to concede and we shouldn’t be conceding it at this level, but let’s not lose sight of all the good things we did today."

Forest were certainly good value for their point and that makes it four from their first three games, while the visiting fans also got a glimpse of new record signing Morgan Gibbs-White, who has taken the club's spending to around the £140m mark.

Now Cooper just needs to find a way to quickly integrate his flurry of arrivals.

The confirmed Everton and Nottingham Forest team news is now in, with kick-off at Goodison Park less than an hour away.

Follow the action, plus the rest of Saturday's Premier League matches here