Nottingham Forest have secured the services of Daniel Muñoz from Crystal Palace, completing a transfer that sees the 30-year-old Colombian right wing-back join the City Ground on a three-year contract with an option to extend for a fourth season. The fee reported for the move could rise to as much as £22 million, reflecting Forest's belief in Muñoz's ability to bolster their defensive flanks and add an attacking edge. Muñoz's arrival reunites him with former Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who now oversees Forest's tactical setup.
The pair enjoyed a productive partnership during their time at Selhurst Park, where Glasner guided the club to notable successes in both the UEFA Conference League and the FA Cup. Muñoz praised his former boss in a statement posted on Forest's official website, describing Glasner as "special" and highlighting the strong personal rapport they share. He recalled the period as "incredibly special" and expressed deep respect for Glasner's leadership and footballing philosophy. The Colombian international expressed gratitude for the opportunity, beginning his remarks by thanking God and the club's management for their confidence in his talent.
"I am really excited and I can't wait to get out on the pitch so I can help my new teammates achieve all the objectives for this season," he said. Muñoz also emphasized the winning mentality at Forest, noting that the club's expectations and collective mindset make it a unique environment for players aiming to compete at the highest level.
The transfer was facilitated by Palace's decision to replace Muñoz with Anan Khalaili, who arrived from Union Saint-Gilloise. This move allowed the Eagles to recoup a profit on a player they had originally acquired from KRC Genk for £8.5 million earlier in the year.
While Palace have been active in the market, they have indicated no intention to part with additional players to Forest as the summer window draws to a close. In recent days, speculation has swirled around several other potential moves involving both clubs.
A report emerged suggesting Forest had made an approach for Palace's captain and goalkeeper Dean Henderson, but Sky Sports News confirmed that Henderson would not be permitted to leave before the transfer deadline. Meanwhile, Palace are focusing on supporting their new head coach Pierre Sage as the window nears its end. Forest's transfer strategy appears to be widening beyond defensive reinforcements. The club has shown interest in Newcastle United forward Jacob Murphy, especially after the departure of winger Omari Hutchinson to AC Milan.
Although Newcastle have not been formally notified, sources indicate that both Forest and Everton have monitored Murphy as a viable option to add depth to their attacking ranks. Newcastle themselves are exploring new forward signings, with attention on Lille's Matias Fernandes Pardo and Stuttgart's Bilal El Khannouss. On the loan front, discussions are ongoing between Forest and German side Eintracht Frankfurt regarding a potential return of striker Arnaud Kalimuendo. Kalimuendo spent the latter half of last season on loan in Germany and could be sent back to Forest on another temporary deal, possibly with an option to make the move permanent.
Kalimuendo was omitted from Forest's matchday squad for the recent 2-2 draw with Liverpool, suggesting he may still be in the club's plans for the upcoming fixtures. Another transfer rumor that fell through involved Forest's pursuit of Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong.
After Forest made an approach, Everton's board unanimously decided to retain the player, halting the deal. In a separate development, Palace are close to finalising a loan agreement for Atalanta's Honest Ahanor.
The proposed deal would see Ahanor spend a season on loan at Selhurst Park before moving permanently to Chelsea next summer. Chelsea are reportedly negotiating a permanent transfer for the young talent, with a fee around £40 million, though a loan to Palace is off the table due to Axel Disasi's existing loan spell at the club. Regarding outgoing transfers, Ismaila Sarr has expressed a desire to leave Palace before the window shuts, but the club maintains that he is not for sale and remains under contract until 2029.
Liverpool have shown interest in the Senegalese winger, adding him to a shortlist that also includes Brighton's Yankuba Minteh. Sarr has missed Palace's opening two league matches due to injury, and the transfer deadline looms on Tuesday at 23:00 GMT.
Overall, the summer market has been busy for both Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, with a mixture of completed deals, ongoing negotiations, and rumors shaping the squads ahead of the new Premier League season. Forest's acquisition of Muñoz adds a versatile, attack-minded defender to their ranks, while the club continues to scout for additional attacking options to complement their evolving roster.
Palace, meanwhile, are reshaping their squad under new management, balancing player departures and potential arrivals as they aim to build on recent cup successes. The coming weeks will determine how these strategic moves influence each team's performance once the season gets underway.