Head coach Sabri Lamouchi says Nottingham Forest did their best to keep defender Jack Robinson, before his move to Sheffield United was agreed.
The full-back has penned a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Premier League Blades, in a deal understood to be worth in the region of £1m.
Robinson was out of contract at the City Ground in the summer and had fallen down the pecking order, behind Yuri Ribeiro and Chema, of late.
But Lamouchi says he would still liked to have hung on to him, only sanctioning the move because he has enough options to cover the 26-year-old’s departure.
“It was a surprise for everybody, also for me,” Lamouchi said of Robinson’s exit.
“We tried to keep him. We tried to get him to sign a new contract, but when Sheffield started to talk to him it was difficult, with them being in the Premier League.
“If we didn’t have any other options, I would have said, ‘no’, but we have some options - Yuri and Chema.
“He is a very good professional and I just want to wish him all the best for his new career in Sheffield.
“Football is football, you have a surprise every day.
“I will be happy on February 1 (when the transfer window is closed).”
Prior to Robinson leaving, the Reds had added to their ranks with their first signing of January, bringing in winger Adama Diakhaby on loan from Huddersfield Town.
Lamouchi is still looking for more reinforcements, with a striker the priority, but he says losing Robinson will not change how the club approach the rest of the window.
“Absolutely not, it changes nothing,” said the Frenchman.
“It was a surprise, but a good surprise for him.
“The club made a decent deal for everybody, I think.
“I said ‘yes’ to it because we have some options. And for him, going to play in the Premier League was important. All the best to him.
“I don’t think we need to bring in more at left-back.
“Chema isn’t naturally a left-back, but he has done a great job there until now. And everybody knows the quality of Yuri.
