Alious**Marinakis is still determined to strengthen Nottingham Forest’s attacking options as they aim to solidify their impressive third-place standing in the Premier League. Their urgency to reinforce the squad was only heightened by a crushing 5-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.**
Forest had earmarked Matheus Cunha as their prime target for the final days of the transfer window, demonstrating their financial intent. However, while incoming transfers have been a major focus, departures from the City Ground have been relatively quiet.
Despite reported Premier League interest, Forest have no intention of offloading Taiwo Awoniyi, suggesting the core of their squad will remain intact beyond Monday’s transfer deadline. One notable exception, though, involves a player currently out on loan who is now seeking an exit from a disastrous spell away from the club.
### **Josh Bowler Set to Escape Nightmare Loan at Preston North End**
While some loaned-out Forest players have thrived abroad—such as Andrew Omobamidele, who earned rave reviews in the French media following his Strasbourg debut—Josh Bowler’s stint at Preston North End has been anything but successful.
Since making a deadline-day move to Deepdale last summer, Bowler has struggled to make an impact, managing just 660 minutes across 13 appearances in all competitions. Local Preston experts have raised doubts about his performances, and now reports from the *Lancashire Post* suggest that his time at the club is coming to an early end.
According to the report:
*”Josh Bowler is close to ending his spell at Preston North End and joining another Championship club on loan. Bowler’s time at Preston has been a frustrating one, and his exit has been in the works since before the transfer window even opened.”*
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom also appeared to welcome the departure, admitting that Bowler had “fallen victim” to a change in the team’s system, which no longer suited his playing style.
### **Bowler’s Loan Struggles Make a Forest Future Unlikely**
Bowler’s move to Nottingham Forest in 2022, during the club’s chaotic summer transfer window under Steve Cooper, has yet to bear fruit. Immediately loaned to Olympiacos—another club owned by Evangelos Marinakis—he failed to score a single goal before being sent back to Blackpool in January. Despite brief flashes of promise at Cardiff City last season, his form at Preston has mirrored his earlier struggles.
While a fresh loan move could provide Bowler with a chance to revive his career, his future at Nottingham Forest appears increasingly uncertain. With little to suggest he fits into Nuno Espírito Santo’s long-term plans, his next destination could prove crucial in determining whether he can salvage his career at the highest level.
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