Forest Sign Portuguese Winger

In a financially shrewd deal from Nottingham Forest, the Reds have acquired 24-year old Vitoria Guiamrães forward Jota Silva, who signs on a four-year deal until June 2028.

In the midst of Forest’s so-far positive transfer window, a quickly snapped-up deal is the latest talking point; £5.9m in an initial fee, with a further £5m in bonuses. It’s rare you see a deal involving Nottingham Forest that is first revealed, agreed, and announced all within under 36 hours – well the Jota Silva transfer was exactly that, and is once again proof that the Reds’ transfer philosophy is evolving.

Silva, born in Melres, in the north-west of Portugal – just miles from Porto – is Forest’s sixth signing of the summer, joining after a successful season in Portugal where he offered 16 goal contributions: 11 of those as goals, 5 as assists. His then-side finished 5th place in the Primeira Liga, with Jota’s contribution a huge part of their good placement.

Jota Silva played for various clubs in Portugal before making his move to ‘Os Conquistadores’ (The Conquerers), but hit form this season, with 11 of his 13 goals for Vitoria Guimarães coming this year – an impressive season for the versatile forward, who is known to play either centre-forward or as a winger. Notably, Silva played as a striker alongside former Forest loanee Nelson Oliveira, with ex-Forest midfielder Tiago Silva just behind them – a dynamic trio, with Oliveira & Tiago Silva surely having relayed positive thoughts about their former club.

Other clubs took interest in Silva – Krasnodar & Panathinaikos both registered interest, and some reports said that Krasnodar had offered more than Forest, but the potential for Premier League game time, and indeed the Premier League lifestyle in general was enough for the Portuguese forward to be convinced to move Trentside. Further to the point, Panathinaikos – an arch-rival of Olympiacos (of course owned by Evangelos Marinakis) – would never have been allowed to have beaten Forest’s bid, given that bitter rivalry, I am sure.

Now at the City Ground until 2028, the winger – as hell most likely used by Forest – will provide cover for/challenge Anthony Elanga, whose form dipped at the end of last season. Depth in the wings were priorities for Forest, with the club now still exploring a deal for a left-sided winger, with both Ramón Sosa & Wesley cited as potential targets. More on that further down.

The Portuguese forward was “impressed” by Forest’s proposal, and shared his excitement at joining the club with a visit to the club shop, where he met fans – young and old – all for whom are eager to see him wear his shirt, the number 20, on the City Ground pitch in the very near future.

Further transfer updates:

More to the previous point, the President of Argentinian side Talleres – Andrés Fessi – is travelling to the UK in the next 48 hours (as of August 1st) to negotiate a deal with Forest for the Paraguayan forward. The deal is said to be worth £10m + £5m [NET], and is nearing closer to completion, with talks “on track” for success, reports Nacho Castellano of 351Deportes.

Forest’s other long-time target, Wesley, is of interest to Forest who are said to be prepared to offer a package worth £21m for the left-winger, but Corinthians are said to be unhappy with previous “cheap” deals for Murillo & Carlos Miguel, and therefore have upped their valuation to nearer the £25m region.

Forest will likely sign one or the other, with Sosa the likely outcome. But anything is possible, and nothing is concrete just yet — a huge 48 hours ahead.

Jamie-Martin Forest Sign Portuguese Winger

*Article provided by Jamie Martin (Head Nottingham Forest Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFC Jota Silva becomes Forest’s sixth signing this summer.

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