Nottingham Forest former targeted player for £30m becomes desperate for new deal

Nottingham Forest could now receive an opportunity to land a player they tried to sign previously for £27 million.

The Reds chose a more conservative approach in the transfer market last summer.

Although they landed 13 new players, each one has made a contribution with the exception of two or three.

Forest must maintain a savvy approach this time around, although the challenge will be keeping hold of their better players.

Murillo is a wanted man, whilst West Ham and Tottenham both fancy Morgan Gibbs-White.

Still, Forest will have some money to spend and now it’s been claimed that a player they’ve liked in the past could be available.

Benfica willing to sell Forest-linked Morato

The Reds along with Fulham tried to sign Benfica central defender Morato during the past 12 months.

It’s claimed that Forest actually made a bid of £25 million for the defender, with Fulham also keen on signing him.

Now, it’s been claimed in a report by Jornal de Noticias that Benfica might actually be willing to let the player leave.

Forest are likely to need a central defender this summer, with Felipe moving on and clubs interested in taking Murillo.

Signing the 22-year-old won’t be easy as he has three years to run on his contract and Benfica will want a decent fee for him.

However, if Forest do sell Murillo there will be some money to spend on a replacement.

Morato has been with Benfica since 2019 when he signed from Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo.

He’s made 85 appearances for the club, scoring twice and claiming two assists.

Fascinatingly, he’s a left-sided player and looks like the ideal replacement for Murillo should he leave this summer.

The player came to the club as a central defender but he’s spent most of the 2023/24 campaign playing as a left-back.

Having that versatility would help Nuno Espirito Santo and this looks like an exciting link if it could come off.

At 22, he has time on his side and he fits the profile of a player that Forest should be looking at down to the ground.