Ambitious Championship hopefuls Nottingham Forest have signed Benfica duo Diogo Goncalves and Joao Carvalho in a dramatic day at the City Ground.
Exciting times for Nottingham Forest.
Out of absolutely nowhere, there are suddenly two Portuguese U21 stars raring to go at the City Ground. Forest fans could have been forgiven for scoffing at the rumours when they first emerged in the Portuguese press but, just a few days later, highly-rated Benfica duo Joao Carvalho and Diogo Goncalves have been snapped posing in Forest’s retro kit.
And, should Goncalves live up to lofty expectations, the East Midland giants could shatter their transfer record once again this time next year.
It is understood that there is a clause in Goncalves’s contract meaning that Forest can sign him on a permanent basis at the end of his year-long loan spell. And Benfica, who finished second in the Primeira Liga last season, value the 21-year-old at around £18 million.
As it stands, that would make Goncalves the most expensive signing in Championship history, exceeding the £15.8 million now promoted Wolves paid for Ruben Neves a year ago.
Forest are a world away from the Fawaz Al-Hasawi regime now.
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