Nottingham Forest Sign Daniel Muñoz from Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest have moved decisively in the final stretch of the window, prising Daniel Muñoz away from Crystal Palace in a deal worth up to £22m and reuniting the Colombian with Oliver Glasner at the City Ground.
The 30-year-old right wing-back has signed a three-year contract, with Forest holding an option for a fourth, as Glasner continues to reshape his side with players he trusts and knows inside out.
Muñoz swap signals shift in South London and new era at Forest
Palace effectively cleared the runway for Muñoz’s departure the moment they brought in Anan Khalaili from Union Saint-Gilloise. The numbers tell their own story: Muñoz arrived from Genk for £8.5m in January 2024, now leaves for almost three times that figure, and Palace bank a sizeable profit on a player who became central to their recent success.
On the pitch, his impact was clear. Muñoz grew into a key figure in Palace’s Conference League and FA Cup triumphs, a relentless presence down the right, as comfortable tearing forward as he was locking down his flank. That mix of energy and edge is exactly what Forest are buying.
For Glasner, it is more than just a signing. It is a familiar cornerstone. The Austrian knows exactly how to plug Muñoz into his system, how to squeeze every last sprint and tackle out of him. Forest, already an intense, front-foot side, have just added another outlet with serious pedigree.
Palace shut the door on Henderson – for now
Forest’s raid on Selhurst Park stops there. Despite reports of a bid for Palace captain and goalkeeper Dean Henderson, the London club have made their stance crystal clear: Henderson is not leaving before the deadline.
Palace intend to back new head coach Pierre Sage, not strip him of his spine. With Muñoz gone, the message from the board is firm. No more key men heading to the City Ground in this window.
Forest still hunting firepower
Muñoz might be through the door, but Forest’s recruitment team are not done yet.
The club are weighing up a late move for Newcastle forward Jacob Murphy as they look to restock their attacking options after Omari Hutchinson’s departure to AC Milan. There has been interest in Murphy from Forest earlier in the window, with Everton also in the conversation, though Newcastle have yet to receive a formal approach.
Newcastle’s own plans could shape how that story ends. They are in the market for forwards themselves, tracking Lille’s Matias Fernandes Pardo and Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss. Any shift there could quickly alter Murphy’s situation.
One outgoing at Forest is already gathering pace. Eintracht Frankfurt are in talks to re-sign Arnaud Kalimuendo on loan after his spell there in the second half of last season. The German club want him back again, this time with a potential option to buy. Kalimuendo was left out of Forest’s matchday 18 in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool, a clear sign that the club are open to a deal.
Not every move has materialised. A proposed transfer for Harrison Armstrong from Everton has collapsed, with the Everton board unanimous in their decision to keep the player despite Forest’s approach.
Palace juggling arrivals, exits and a £40m puzzle
While Muñoz departs, Palace are busy trying to complete one of the more intricate deals of the window.
They are close to an agreement with Atalanta for Honest Ahanor on a season-long loan, with the plan already mapped out: the player would then join Chelsea permanently next summer. Chelsea have been in talks with Atalanta over a permanent transfer worth around £40m, but cannot send Ahanor on loan to Palace themselves because Axel Disasi is already on loan at Selhurst Park.
So Palace move early, slot into the chain, and hope to benefit from a year of Ahanor’s talent before he heads to Stamford Bridge.
The tension around Ismaila Sarr is rising too. The Senegal international wants to leave before the deadline, and Liverpool have made an approach in the past week. He is one of several options under consideration at Anfield, alongside Yankuba Minteh at Brighton.
Palace’s response is uncompromising. Sarr is not for sale. His contract runs until 2029, and the club are standing firm, even as he misses the first two games of the season through injury and the clock ticks towards Tuesday’s 11pm deadline.
Muñoz has already walked through the door at Forest. The question now is who else follows him into new surroundings before the window slams shut – and who is still standing when the dust settles at Selhurst Park.
