Nottingham Forest could be set to go head-to-head with FC Barcelona in the transfer market, with both clubs eyeing a potential free transfer in 2027.

Forest could look at bolstering their options in a number of areas next year, with targets being identified in several positions, after a slow start to the Oliver Glasner era.

Indeed, Forest have struggled to lay down a marker since Glasner's arrival from Crystal Palace, taking just five points from their opening five Premier League matches, a record that leaves them 13th in the table.

However, BBC reporter Nick Mashiter has suggested a relegation won't be on the cards again this season, given everything Glasner achieved at Palace.

Mashiter said: "I don't see another season of real struggle for Forest. Sadly, there is no European football this year, but that will help the squad mentally and physically as they adapt to what Oliver Glasner wants.

"Glasner said he is no magician, and he cannot just wave a wand and everything clicks, but his track record and the Forest squad give me the confidence they will be absolutely fine."

That said, after reshaping their squad in the summer, the Tricky Trees remain keen on further additions next year, and they are now in contention to sign a Serie A defender.

Nottingham Forest and Barcelona racing to sign Dodo

According to a report from Football Insider, Nottingham Forest are considering a move for Fiorentina defender Dodo next year, after being linked with the right-back during the summer transfer window.

However, there could now be competition from some of Europe's top clubs, with Barcelona planning to make a move for the Brazilian when his contract expires next summer, while AC Milan and Napoli are also keen.

The South American, who currently rakes in £31,000-a-week, is now expected to explore his options ahead of a potential move away from Fiorentina next summer, but it remains to be seen whether Forest will make an approach, having signed Daniel Munoz in the summer.

Munoz is already tried and tested in the Premier League, picking up eight goals and 13 assists in 86 matches across spells with Palace and the Tricky Trees, and he most recently started in the surprise 1-0 home defeat against Coventry City.

As such, there are question marks surrounding whether Glasner needs to bring in a new right-back, but Dodo, who is represented by the same agent as Jair Cunha, could be a solid back-up, having been lauded as "fantastic" by Tariq Lamptey.

The 27-year-old is also very experienced in Serie A, appearing 114 times in the Italian top flight, and he created 51 chances in the competition last season, which was the second-highest number in the Fiorentina squad.