Nottingham Forest have had their transfer plans thrown into disarray after Slavisa Jokanovic refused to take the managerial job after Aitor Karanka departed, according to Alan Nixon of the Sun. 

Nixon claims that the club had a list of three players lined up with initial contact already being made before a deal to bring in the former Fulham boss fell through, leaving the deals now in doubt under Martin O'Neill.

Taking to Twitter, Nixon wrote: "FOREST. Had THREE players on hit list and with calls being made when thought Jokanovic was coming. All of those now in doubt."

The Reds made their first signing of the January window earlier this week when Leicester City centre-back Yohan Benalouane made the move to the City Ground for an undisclosed fee.

O'Neill's managerial stint with his former club got off to a tricky start on Saturday, losing 1-0 to fellow top-six contenders Bristol City at home.

A Famara Diedhiou strike was enough to seal all three points for Lee Johnson's side and leave Forest in 12th place and seven points below the play-off places.

The verdict 

This should be a concern to Forest fans.

Not so much that the deals have fallen through, but the fact that the board clearly appear to be in control of transfer business with little responsibility given to the manager.

Had those three deals gone through only for O'Neill to reject the players it will have been truly reckless.