The transfer window is now upon us and it is time for the speculation to begin on who is coming in and going out of the City Ground.

The Reds spent big in the summer and many people are expecting more arrivals in this window. However, with the side playing so well this season is there a need for further additions?

Manager Billy Davies certainly thinks so. The Scot has already stated in the press that he is looking to improve the squad to ensure Forest remain in the hunt for promotion come the end of the season.

Davies has expressed a desire to sign a recognised left back, with on loan Nicky Shorey and Tottenham’s Gareth Bale at the top of his wish list.

It has been rumoured that Chairman Nigel Doughty is prepared to give the manager around £6 million to sanction a bid for the pair.

This would send a forceful message to the rest of the division that, finally, Forest are ready to challenge with the ‘big guns’.

Most Forest fans would more than likely be satisfied if the only action of the window was to make on loan signings, Radoslaw Majewski and Nicky Shorey, permanent additions.

Both men have become favourites on Trentside after a string of impressive performances and both have played key roles in the impressive unbeaten run Forest currently hold.

Majewski has made himself an instant fan’s favourite after his rocket against rivals Derby in August. The Pole has also showed his class with a number of man of the match displays, with his artillery of defence splitting passes.

Shorey has helped Forest keep five clean sheets in his seven games and has become part of the furniture in a solid back four consisting of himself, Wes Morgan, Kelvin Wilson and Chris Gunter.

If Davies was to make these two players his only permanent additions to his squad during this window, most Forest fans would still remain confident of a promotion push.

However, Davies has also hinted he would like to sign another midfielder and more incredibly another striker.

Forest currently boasts an embarrassment of riches up front compared to the rest of the teams in the Championship, with six strikers currently on the books.

Yet it has emerged that Davies is looking to sign Jermaine Beckford of Leeds United. Beckford is a real predator in front of goal and seems to guarantee Leeds at least 20 goals a season, including the winner at Old Trafford last weekend in their shock FA Cup win over Manchester United.

But questions have been asked in the past about his attitude. The infamous ‘‘what shirt am I wearing bruv?’’ reply to a journalist’s question on whether he would be leaving Elland Road certainly fuelled these rumours.

And his actions of flinging his arms up in disgust when substituted in the Play-offs against Millwall enhance this suggestion.

Whether Davies would take the risk of signing a player who could disrupt the harmony at the City Ground remains to be seen, but without doubt Beckford’s goal scoring ability cannot be questioned.

But with Blackstock, Earnshaw, Adebola, McGoldrick, Garner and Tyson already at the club is Beckford really needed?

Another player Forest have been linked with is former Derby man Giles Barnes, who the Rams released last month.

Barnes is currently training with Premiership Birmingham City, who the Reds face on Tuesday in the FA Cup replay, but Barnes could be tempted to link back up with Billy Davies.

It was Davies who gave Barnes his chance at Derby and the youngster responded well to the call with some fantastic displays as Derby went up via the Play-offs, where Barnes played a key role in the final.

Since the former Preston boss left the Rams, Barnes’ performances slipped and injury also hampered him as he scored just one Premiership goal and Derby were relegated with the worst ever total in Premiership history.

He was shipped out on loan to Fulham with a view to a permanent switch but never made an appearance for the Cottagers, and was famously seen eating a kebab in the dugout during a home game. It should also be noted that Barnes was picking the salad out of his kebab.

However, if his head can be screwed on then Barnes could be a fantastic talent to have at the City Ground. And if there is one man that can get Barnes to sit up and listen then it is Billy Davies.

With Barnes available for free as well, Davies could be tempted to take a gamble on the man who spent his youth days at the City Ground.

And after the success of former Derby men Lee Camp and Robert Earnshaw at the City Ground, Davies may try to add Giles Barnes to that category.

Forest fans may generally be split on this transfer, but if Barnes does sign and fires the winner on January 30th at Pride Park then I’m sure he will be welcomed to the ‘Forest family’.

It shapes up to be an exciting month on Trentside.