Championship outfit Nottingham Forest are reportedly set to sign Benfica’s Primeira Liga winners Yuri Ribeiro and Alfa Semedo.
Yuri Ribeiro has taken to Instagram to confirm that his seven-year stay at Benfica is coming to an end as reported in Portugal continue to link Nottingham Forest with the highly-rated defender.
It has been a long-time since Forest had a top quality left-back in their ranks. Jack Robinson filled in effectively last season but he is a centre-half by trade, while academy graduate Ben Osborn is clearly far more comfortable in midfield.
So Yuri, a player renowned in Portugal for his rampaging style and excellent technical ability, would be welcomed at the City Ground with open arms.
Record broke the news over the weekend that the 22-year-old was heading to the East Midlands alongside Benfica team-mate Alfa Semedo, with a medical for both players set to take place early this week.
And, with the speculation rising, Yuri has only added fuel to the fire by announcing on social media that he will not be at the Estadio da Luz next season.
“I came to Benfica at the age of 15, with the dream of one day representing the first team,” the Portugal U23 star said. “It was achieved, with years of professional and enormous personal growth.
“I arrived here a kid but I leave here a man.”
The Swiss-born left-back is expected to sign for Forest on a permanent deal, though Benfica will retain a right to obtain 50 per cent of any future sale, according to Record.
And he will follow in the footsteps of antler Iberian talent. Tiago Silva joined the club from Feirense last week.
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