It promises to be another summer of transition for Nottingham Forest as Chris Hughton looks to strengthen his squad.

Forest are mathematically safe from relegation to League One, but there is no getting away from the fact that it has been a disappointing campaign for the Reds.

It has been a season which initially promised so much, having only narrowly missed out on a play-off finish last season.

Fast forward a year, and Chris Hughton has a big task in revamping his squad, after 13 signings were made before he even began to unpack his bags at the City Ground in October.

With five loanees set to return to their parent clubs and seven players set to be out of contract, Hughton knows more than anyone that Forest have to recruit this summer, and some transfer links have already began to emerge.

Taking some of those into account, we take a look at how Forest's XI could look at the start of the 2021/22 campaign...

Football League World understand that Crystal Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is being monitored by Forest, as his contract at Selhurst Park runs down.

But if Hennessey does arrive, then there is no reason why he should be first-choice ahead of Samba.

Samba joined Forest from Caen last season and was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year after an excellent campaign.

Samba, who kept 13 clean sheets last season, has kept 13 clean sheets this season and has the opportunity to add to that tally before the end of the campaign.

He is an excellent goalkeeper, and maybe bringing in Hennessey as cover would be beneficial for him in terms of competition.

Jordan Smith will be entering the final year of his deal, and Abdoulaye Diallo is set to be released at the end of the season.

The right-back area is a really interesting one.

Jordan Gabriel is an exciting prospect who has spent this season on loan in League One with Blackpool, helping the Tangerines cement a place in the play-off spots.

Gabriel has made 24 appearances in League One this term, and will be a contender to start next season as Forest's first-choice right-back.

Cyrus Christie has spent this season on loan at Forest, though, and after a tough start to life at the City Ground, he has established himself as one of their most solid performers in recent months.

He is out of contract at Fulham in the summer, however the Cottagers do have the option to extend that by a further year.

We feel that Hughton will move in for the right-back on a permanent basis.

Forest fans will be praying that this man stays beyond this season.

Worrall has gone from strength to strength since spending 2018/19 on loan with Rangers, and was an ever present last season.

It has been a difficult campaign for the defender who has picked up an ankle injury and a rib problem over the course of the season.

But he has established himself as a mainstay in the team under Chris Hughton, and one of the best defenders in the league.

Norwich have been linked with his signature, and there is bound to be many other clubs looking at him this summer.

McKenna has been one of the signings of the season, but has also endured difficulties with injury.

The Scotland international joined from Aberdeen last summer, and has since made 23 appearances in the Championship for the Reds.

The centre-half has forged a solid partnership with Worrall, and he will be hoping to grow that partnership next season and remain injury-free.

He should only get better in a Garibaldi shirt.

The left-back area is another interesting position.

Gaetan Bong is a player who Hughton trusts after their time together at Brighton, but he has struggled for game time and is only getting older.

Yuri Ribeiro was excellent last season but has failed to replicate those performances this season, and is out of contract in the summer.

Nicholas Ioannou is out on loan in Greece with Aris so it remains to be seen what happens with him.

That leaves Tyler Blackett who has impressed in recent weeks, ending the season as Forest's first-choice left-back.

At the moment, he looks to start the first game of next season, but don't be surprised to see a new left-back come in this summer.

Forest have been linked with the signing of Gillingham captain Kyle Dempsey.

Dempsey has enjoyed an excellent individual campaign with the Gills since arriving on a permanent deal from Fleetwood in the summer.

The 25-year-old has scored eight goals and chipped in with four assists from midfield in League One this season, and Football Insider claim that a bid is being lined up for him.

With James Garner's future on loan looking uncertain, bringing in a young, hungry player from the division below could be beneficial for the club.

Yates has operated well alongside James Garner this season, with his battling, physical attributes complimenting Garner's technical ability well.

Yates is a player who continually divides opinion amongst Forest fans, but it cannot be denied that he is a key player who is rated highly by Chris Hughton.

He is likely to be a mainstay in the team next season, and having him alongside someone of Dempsey's technical ability could work well and provide a nice blend in the middle of the park.

It will be interesting to see how he gets on with a full pre-season under his belt.

Forest have an alarming lack of depth out wide.

Joe Lolley is currently out injured for the season and Sammy Ameobi is also on the sidelines and out of contract in the summer.

Alex Mighten has been a regular on the left wing in recent weeks, but Filip Krovinovic played there at the weekend.

Anthony Knockaert is on loan from Fulham and Luke Freeman is on loan from Sheffield United, with both of them set to return to their parent clubs at the end of the season.

Realistically, that leaves two senior wingers on the books if Ameobi is let go and the two loan players go back.

Lolley should start next season as a regular.

Forest have been linked with a swoop for their former player Jamie Paterson.

Paterson spent time at the City Ground between 2013 and 2016, racking up 69 appearances for the Reds before leaving for Bristol City.

Paterson has three goals in 20 league games for Bristol City this season, and is out of contract in the summer.

Forest, Millwall, Stoke and Birmingham are all interested in signing him on a free transfer this summer, as per Football Insider.

He can play as a number 10, out wide or as a number 8.

Here's a player who Forest are desperate to see next season.

Johnson has absolutely flourished on loan in League One with Lincoln this season.

The attacking midfielder has scored 12 goals for the Imps in all competitions this campaign, and has come up leaps and bounds this term.

He's operated in a left-wing role for Lincoln this season and will be a great option to have next term.

Forest have struggled for goals this season and their strikers haven't been up to scratch.

In Glenn Murray, Lyle Taylor and Lewis Grabban, they have three forwards all over the age of 31 and have managed 13 goals between them this season.

One striker they have been linked with is Blackpool's Jerry Yates, as per Football Insider.

Yates has scored 18 goals in 41 League One appearances this season - 20 goals in all competitions - and has been one of the best forwards in the third tier.

He'd provide plenty of pace and youth going forward.