Nottingham Forest have assembled a squad with some genuinely intriguing individual talent, but there is a clear distinction between players who offer immediate value and those who could become the foundation of the club’s future.
From a physically imposing young striker to one of the Premier League’s most promising central defenders, Forest have several players whose importance extends well beyond their current transfer valuations.
However, one player stands above the rest.
Morgan Gibbs-White remains the creative heartbeat of this team, while Murillo has developed into one of its most important defensive assets. There is also plenty to like about the potential of Ousmane Diomande and Liam Delap.
Here is a closer look at Nottingham Forest’s five most valuable players right now, ranked in reverse order.
5. Liam Delap, Centre-Forward
Market valuation: €40 million | Contract: 2031
Liam Delap has the physical profile, aggression and attacking instincts to become a major player for Nottingham Forest.
The 23-year-old English striker arrived for a reported €52.5 million transfer fee, a significant investment that reflects how highly Forest regard his long-term potential. He is not simply being brought in to provide another body in the attacking rotation. The expectation is that he can become the focal point of the frontline.
His early-season production has been relatively modest, with three Premier League goals in nine appearances, but the underlying involvement is encouraging.
Delap leads Forest in total shots with 27 and penalty-box touches with 40 through the opening 10 matchweeks. Those numbers matter because they demonstrate that he is consistently getting himself into dangerous positions.
There is a difference between a striker who struggles to get involved and one who is already generating opportunities but needs to become more clinical.
Delap belongs in the latter conversation.
His physicality gives Forest a valuable outlet, while his willingness to attack defenders and generate shots makes him an interesting fit for Oliver Glasner’s attacking approach.
At €40 million, there is considerable pressure attached to his price tag. Nevertheless, his age, contractual security and Premier League experience make him one of Forest’s most important long-term investments.
4. Neco Williams, Full-Back / Wing-Back
Market valuation: €32 million | Contract: 2030
Neco Williams deserves considerably more recognition than he typically receives.
The Welsh international has developed into one of Nottingham Forest’s most reliable performers since arriving from Liverpool in 2022. Now in his fifth season at the City Ground, he has become an important part of the club’s defensive structure and attacking progression.
His 2026/27 numbers illustrate just how involved he has been.
Williams has recorded 579 touches, the second-highest total in the Forest squad, while his 7.19 match rating ranks third among his teammates. Defensively, he leads the squad with 4.5 tackles per 90 minutes.
That is an impressive combination of involvement and defensive responsibility.
What makes Williams particularly valuable is his ability to contribute in both directions. He is aggressive when stepping into challenges, comfortable carrying possession and capable of helping Forest escape pressure when opponents attempt to pin them into their own half.
He has also won 11 fouls, the second-highest total on the roster, demonstrating how frequently his ball-carrying forces opponents into uncomfortable defensive situations.
Williams might not have the superstar reputation of some of his teammates, but his importance should not be underestimated.
At 25, he is entering what should be the prime years of his career. Forest have an established Premier League-quality wing-back who offers reliability, versatility and plenty of room to continue developing.
3. Ousmane Diomande, Centre-Back
Market valuation: €42 million | Contract: 2030
Nottingham Forest made a significant statement by investing in Ousmane Diomande.
The 22-year-old Ivory Coast international arrived from Sporting CP in August 2026 for a reported £34.3 million, bringing considerable European experience and an exciting physical profile to the City Ground.
There is a reason his valuation has already reached €42 million.
Diomande possesses the athletic qualities that make him particularly attractive in an aggressive defensive system. His recovery pace allows him to defend substantial space behind the defensive line, while his physical strength and aerial ability give Forest another imposing presence in central defence.
Those attributes are especially important for a team that wants to defend proactively rather than constantly retreat toward its own penalty area.
His early Premier League involvement has been limited, with five appearances and 343 minutes played. That is not enough to make sweeping conclusions about his adaptation, but it also means there is still considerable room for his influence to grow.
The important thing is his potential.
Diomande has the physical tools to become an elite-level Premier League defender, and his experience at Sporting provides a strong foundation for that development.
Forest have already invested heavily in his future. If he establishes himself as a regular starter, his valuation could rise considerably.
He is not yet the finished product, but the ceiling is extremely exciting.
2. Murillo, Centre-Back
Market valuation: €50 million | Contract: 2030
Murillo has become one of Nottingham Forest’s most valuable players, and it is increasingly difficult to imagine the club’s defensive structure without him.
The Brazilian arrived from Corinthians in 2023 for a reported £11.1 million. What initially looked like an excellent piece of recruitment has developed into something considerably more significant.
He is now valued at €50 million, and there is a compelling argument that his importance to Forest extends beyond even that impressive figure.
Murillo leads Forest’s outfield players in minutes played this season with 898 and has accumulated 695 touches, the highest total in the squad.
Those numbers reflect his importance in possession as well as his defensive responsibilities.
He is not simply a center-back who waits for opponents to enter dangerous areas before intervening. Murillo is comfortable stepping forward, defending aggressively and helping Forest progress the ball from deep.
His eight clearances per game lead the team, while his five shots on target demonstrate an additional attacking contribution from defensive situations.
Perhaps his greatest strength, however, is his combination of athleticism and composure.
Murillo can recover when defensive situations become chaotic, compete physically against powerful strikers and remain comfortable when asked to defend large spaces.
At 24, he has already established himself as a cornerstone of Nottingham Forest’s backline.
The club has an exceptional defensive asset on its hands, and keeping him should remain a major priority.
1. Morgan Gibbs-White, Attacking Midfielder
Market valuation: €80 million | Contract: 2028
There is no debate about who Nottingham Forest’s most valuable player is.
Morgan Gibbs-White remains the creative engine, emotional heartbeat and most influential attacking presence in this team.
His importance to Forest goes well beyond his €80 million valuation, which is almost double that of any other player in this ranking.
The 26-year-old England international is coming off a 15-goal campaign in 2025/26, and his early performances suggest that he remains central to everything Forest want to accomplish offensively.
He has recorded one goal and three assists in nine Premier League appearances, while his 7.32 match rating leads the squad.
More importantly, Gibbs-White leads Forest in goals and assists combined, chances created at 2.7 per game and combined expected goals and assists at 0.55 per game.
Those are the numbers of a player who consistently makes things happen.
Gibbs-White operates in the spaces where attacking matches are often decided. He can receive possession between the lines, turn toward goal, slip passes into dangerous areas and create opportunities through individual technical quality.
He also brings an intensity that is difficult to quantify.
Forest need players who can take responsibility when matches become difficult, and Gibbs-White is exactly that type of footballer. He wants the ball, demands involvement and is willing to attempt the difficult pass rather than settle for safe possession.
His contract running until 2028 is an important consideration, too. With his market valuation already reaching €80 million, Forest have every reason to prioritize securing his long-term future.
Murillo might be the defensive cornerstone, and Delap could become a major attacking investment, but Gibbs-White is still the player who makes this team tick.
He is Nottingham Forest’s most valuable footballer, and it is not particularly close.
Purveyor of footy since the 90s. Favor the Premier League and old school Serie A with a touch of Bundesliga. More than a touch. Professional writer for 20 years, covering every sport but now focused on the Premier League and world football. You won’t be able to guess my favorite team.