Nottingham Forest are approaching a very important summer transfer window whether they win promotion to the Premier League or not.

If the Reds are beaten by Huddersfield Town in the Championship play-off final it will become difficult to keep hold of their key players, and potentially even Steve Cooper.

That will be the most crucial part of the summer should the Terriers win promotion.

Cooper will attract exciting young players and other promotion pushing second tier options by his presence in the dugout at the City Ground, which would allow the club to rebuild this summer to go again, even if important assets depart.

Forest have utilised the loan market incredibly well this season, with recruitment on the whole being very smart and that is something they could replicate next season to aid their cause.

Here, we have taken a look at how Nottingham Forest can have the perfect summer transfer window in seven steps...

Keeping Brennan Johnson has to be the first goal of the window for Forest.

The Welshman is contracted until the summer of 2023, and there is an argument that it would be worth keeping him in the Championship next season, to enhance their chances of promotion, and to run the risk of him leaving for a significantly reduced fee at the end of his deal.

Best case scenario is promotion and he signs a new long term deal.

Djed Spence may well have his pick of clubs this summer, but his desire could be to sign permanently for the Reds, if they win promotion to the Premier League.

The 21-year-old has come on leaps and bounds for working with Steve Cooper this season and it appears likely that he will be playing top-flight football next term, with or without Forest.

Spence has two years left on his contract at Middlesbrough, but it seems unlikely he will return to The Riverside next season.

It would be a dream signing for the Reds if they go up.

Keinan Davis has been one of Forest's most influential players and the Aston Villa loanee could be available for transfer in the summer.

The 24-year-old has never received regular game time at Villa Park, and there is a chance that the Reds could pull this deal off even if they are still in the second tier.

Davis offers so much with and without the ball, that his modest goal return is not a concern and it would likely improve with a full pre-season under his belt.

James Garner has also been key cog at Forest this season, on loan from Manchester United.

The gifted ball playing midfielder has increased his contributions out of possession and may go on loan to a Premier League club next term.

That could be Nottingham Forest and it would be a very smart move in continuing his growing relationship with Ryan Yates in central midfield.

The 21-year-old would command a substantial fee to be signed on a permanent basis with two seasons remaining on his deal at Old Trafford.

Philip Zinckernagel has four years left on his contract at Watford, and for that reason the 27-year-old will likely be a key player in pushing for promotion from the Championship with the Hornets next term.

Seven goals and ten assists reflects very well on his ability, just over a season after arriving in England from the Norwegian top-flight.

This one could be the toughest to pull off, but the Dane could be an important squad player in the Premier League next season, if Forest can get over the final hurdle.

Joe Worrall could be a wanted man this summer having sustained a very high performance level over the course of the season for Forest.

At 26, Worrall has a very well-rounded skillset for a centre back, very gifted in terms of his reading of the game and he anticipates play effectively to make blocks and interceptions.

The former England U21 international's ball playing ability will entice clubs in higher places and he can be a no nonsense defender when needed.

Keeping him at the club would be a huge boost.

Harry Arter is on high wages and has one year remaining on his contract at the City Ground.

The 32-year-old is currently on loan at Notts County in the National League, and getting him off the wage bill in the summer would be a sensible move.

It may be difficult, considering the fact that the level Arter would potentially go to, may not be able to offer similar terms to what he is currently on, but Forest need to figure out a happy medium.