Jota Silva is desperate to seal a move to the Premier League as Nottingham Forest hold talks with the Vitoria Guimaraes winger and Ramon Sosa of Argentine outfit Tallares.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
After suffering the disappointment of being left out of Portugal’s squad for this summer’s European Championships, happier times should be just around the corner for one of the Primeira Liga’s most influential attackers.
Jota Silva is praying that a move to England can be secured during the final month of the transfer window.
And his wish should become reality. Nottingham Forest are in talks with Vitoria Guimaraes and have now found themselves in pole position to win the race for a player who, HITC reported a few months ago, also has admirers at Wolves, Leicester City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Celtic.
24-year-old Silva – capped twice by Portugal – scored 15 goals and set up seven more for Vitoria Guimaraes last term.
A left-footed right winger who likes to cut inside, comparisons have been drawn with Jack Grealish albeit as much due to Silva’s slicked back haircut as much as his creativity from the flanks.
Silva, for what it’s worth, sees more similarities between himself and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.
Nottingham Forest close in on Vitoria’s Jota Silva
Silva caught the eye of Portuguese giants Benfica but England remains his first-choice destination.
HITC also understands that – despite the presence of a £17 million release clause in his Vitoria contract – Nottingham Forest are expected to seal the deal for just £6 million.
“His resilience and belief in his abilities are extraordinary. The result of a hard-working family and humility,” Joao Cunha, who worked with a teenage Jota Silva at Sousense, tells Record.
“Jota Silva’s humility and dedication are often highlighted by those who know him well. Wherever he goes, all the clubs love him.”
HITC understands that Nottingham Forest are also in talks to sign Ramon Sosa from Club Atletico Talleres. This is not a case of ‘one or the other’, however.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side want both Silva and Sosa ahead of the September deadline.
While Jota Silva appears to be further down the line at this stage – O Jogo reports that he will travel to England on Wednesday and won’t be part of the Vitoria squad for this week’s Conference League qualifier versus Maltese outfit Floriana – discussions are heading in the right direction regarding Sosa too.
A deal worth around £12 million has been talked about between Forest and Talleres.
Like Jota, Sosa had found himself on Wolves’ radar earlier in the window. Daniel Campos, the Paraguay international’s agent, has also confirmed that both Everton and Chelsea had been in touch to express their interest.
“I spoke with Chelsea’s sporting director,” Campos says via Popular, albeit without explaining if it was Laurence Stewart or co-director Paul Winstanley he held discussions with.
“They are taking (Sosa) into consideration.”
Ramon Sosa also in talks over City Ground switch
While Jota Silva likes to drift in from the left onto the right, Ramon Sosa is more comfortable going from the right to the left. As such, there is a very real possibility that both could play together in the same Nottingham Forest side.
Sosa is not quite as prolific as Silva but does have seven goals and six assists to show from his last 21 Talleres outings.
Forest have already signed three first-team players this summer. Elliot Anderson joined from Newcastle United while two 6ft-something giants also arrived in ex-Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic and Brazilian goalkeeper Carlos Miguel.
The signings of Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa, meanwhile, will add competition out wide for Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
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