It promises to be a busy summer for Chris Hughton as he looks to revamp his Nottingham Forest squad in the transfer window.

The Reds finished 17th in the Championship this season, despite having ambitions of pushing for promotion at the start of the campaign.

Forest were one of the lowest scorers in the league, too. Only Derby County, who narrowly avoided relegation to League One, scored fewer goals than their bitter rivals.

Having found the net only 37 times in 46 games this term, Hughton will be keen to strengthen his attacking options in the transfer market.

With five loan players now back at their parent clubs and another seven set to be released, outgoings will also pave the way for incomings.

But in a summer where finances are likely to be tight, Forest may have to be in the market for a few bargains. Here, we take a look at nine free agents who Hughton should have on his transfer radar...

Diedhiou is looking for a new club after being released by Bristol City at the end of this season, upon the expiration of his contract.

The 28-year-old departs Ashton Gate having scored an impressive 51 goals in 169 games for the Robins, after joining them from Angers in 2017.

At 6-foot-4, Diedhiou would add plenty of physical presence to Forest's front-line, but plenty of goal threat, also.

The striker has hit double figures in his four seasons in English football, and clearly knows how to find the net in the Championship.

With Glenn Murray on his way out and Lewis Grabban also getting older, Diedhiou could be a much-needed addition.

This man is certainly no stranger to the City Ground.

Assombalonga joined Forest for a then club-record fee of £5.5m from Peterborough United in 2014.

The striker went on to score 15 goals in 29 games in his first season at the City Ground.

By the time he departed for Middlesbrough for £15m in 2017, Assombalonga had been affected by injuries, but scored 30 goals in 69 games for the club.

He's now a free agent after leaving the Riverside, and there will surely be some Forest fans out there who would like him to come back and pick up from where he left off.

Sheffield Wednesday have been relegated to League One, and that brings us on nicely to two of their former players.

Reach has been released at the end of his contract, bringing an end to his five-year spell at Hillsborough.

Over the last couple of years, Reach has been used mainly as a wing-back, however he is a winger by trade.

He scored five goals and added three assists for a struggling Owls side this season, and is likely to be a player in demand this summer.

Forest need some depth out wide, and Reach would give them plenty of quality down the left.

Harris is another to have been let go by Wednesday at the end of his contract.

Harris registered four assists in 38 games this season, and whilst he hasn't been able to score, the winger has been a real creative spark.

The 27-year-old has been a steady player at this level for a few years now, and he would bring a great deal of pace and trickery out wide.

On a free transfer, it worth be a punt as he is entering his prime.

Vrancic was a standout performer for Norwich as they won their first Championship title under Daniel Farke in 2018/19.

The Bosnian scored 10 goals in 36 games from midfield and registered seven assists, too, and also contributed to eight goals this season.

He's since been let go by Norwich at the expiry of his contract, and may want another to add another promotion to his CV.

Whilst Forest do have a couple of ageing options in midfield, and whilst Vrancic may be 32, he's been in good form for a while now.

Wyke's future at Sunderland is looking increasingly uncertain.

The striker scored 32 goals for the Black Cats in all competitions this season, but was unable to help them get over the line in their quest for promotion from League One.

Wyke is now out of contract, and whilst he may have been offered a new deal, a move away appears likely.

He's a real threat in the air and would offer something different to what Forest currently have in their ranks.

To sign any 30+ goal forward on a free transfer would be a shrewd bit of business.

This one would be a bit of a coup.

Mowatt is likely to have many options this summer, after playing such an influential role for Valerien Ismael's Barnsley this term.

But talks over a new deal have been ongoing for such a long time, now, and you get the feeling that he is set to move on from Oakwell.

Mowatt adds everything you want in midfield. Not only does he provide defensive steel, but he keeps things ticking over nicely, scoring eight goals and adding seven assists this term.

For Forest to get him would be some statement of intent.

Forest have recently been linked with Paterson - a player who is no stranger to the City Ground.

Football Insider report that Forest, Birmingham, Stoke and Millwall are all interested in the 29-year-old, who was released by Bristol City at the end of his contract.

Paterson scored three goals and added two assists in 20 league appearances this term, and what was an injury-hit campaign for the midfielder.

He can play out wide, as a number 10 or slightly deeper, and he has done very well at the City Ground before.

It could be worth a shout.

O'Nien is perhaps one of the more underrated players in League One.

The 26-year-old has gone from strength to strength since joining Sunderland from Wycombe in 2018.

His versatility was so key for Sunderland this season, as he operated mainly as a right-back as well as at centre-half or in central midfield.

That could prove to be beneficial for Chris Hughton, and O'Nien is already attracting interest from the Championship following Sunderland's failure to win promotion.

Football Insider claim that Luton, Middlesbrough, Preston and Millwall are all keen, and Forest should also be in the queue.