Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has questioned the club’s transfer strategy, warning that the slow pace of recruitment is leaving the squad unprepared for the new season.

Nottingham Forest, who return to European competition for the first time in 30 years, begin their Premier League campaign against Brentford at the City Ground on Sunday.

Nuno, who guided the club to seventh place last season, said uncertainty over new signings is affecting preparations.

“Dealing with doubts is the worst thing you can have in football,” he said. “We have doubts, who is going to be here, when are they going to come? All these things create doubts. Not only me, but in the club.”

Forest are reportedly close to spending around £100m on Manchester City’s James McAtee, Ipswich winger Omari Hutchinson and Rennes forward Arnaud Kalimuendo, with Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz also a target.

The club has signed striker Igor Jesus and defender Jair Cunha from Botafogo, Bologna winger Dan Ndoye and goalkeeper Angus Gunn, but Nuno wants at least four more players, including a goalkeeper, full-back, winger and striker.

Anthony Elanga was sold to Newcastle for £55m, while Morgan Gibbs-White signed a new contract despite interest from Tottenham.

Nuno said the team’s pre-season results, no wins and only one goal scored, reflected the lack of readiness.

“The players are not supermen, we are going to need to rotate them. That’s a major problem with the intensity and demands of the games,” he said.

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