Nottingham Forest look set to miss out on Fluminense captain Nino with the Brazil international ‘close to moving to Zenit St Petersburg’ in Russia instead.
A deal which looked destined to happen only a few weeks ago now appears dead in the water.
While Fulham have been made to wait for Andre Trindade – despite reaching an agreement on personal terms with the tough-tackling midfielder – there is still a confidence at Craven Cottage that the Andre will put pen to paper with Marco Silva’s side before the month is out.
Such optimism is no longer present at Nottingham Forest, however, our hopes of a Nino – Nuno link up seemingly going up in smoke.
Nottingham Forest to lose out on Nino
Championat reported a fortnight ago that Nottingham Forest was Nino’s preferred destination. He had reservations about moving to Russia at the time. That stance has been softened, however, after Zenit improved their initial proposal, offering to stump up a far bigger salary while triggering the £4.3 million release clause in his contract (Globo Esporte).
Money talks, as they say, and it’s certainly won Nino around as far as a January switch to St Petersburg is concerned.
“Nino is close to moving to Zenit,” Marcelo Ahmed, Fluminense’s press officer, tells Sport24.
Ahmed adds that nothing has been ‘closed’ as this stage. Zenit, however are most definitely in pole position. Forest are not out of the running entirely, but perhaps a central defender is no longer a priority for the City Ground outfit in this window. Scott McKenna and Joe Worrall were both frozen out towards the back end of the Steve Cooper reign but he has since been replaced in the Forest dugout by Nuno Espirito Santo.
Brazil international now heading to Russia
“I found out about the interest (of Nottingham Forest) the day before (the final),” Nino said back in December, before captaining Fluminense to Copa Libertadores glory.
“My agent already knew that my focus was on being able to play this game at 100 per cent. I did it, thank God.
“Nothing is certain yet. What is certain is what I have always said, that I have a great affection for Fluminense. I am very happy here. And, if one day I leave, I want to leave in a way that is good for me and for Fluminense.”
Forest, meanwhile, confirmed on Wednesday that Andrey Santos had returned to Chelsea following an ill-fated loan spell. Championship trio Sunderland, West Brom and Hull City are now keen on the former Vasco da Gama ace, HITC Football understands.
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