Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest are closing in on a £6 million deal for Fluminense captain Nino with the Copa Libertadores dreaming of a move to Europe.
With Steve Cooper’s side expected to sign another Brazilian centre-half during the winter window, Nottingham Forest may be about to prove that lightning does, indeed, strike twice.
Nino faces quite the challenge emulating the remarkable impact Murillo has made at the City Ground – the former Corinthians youngster already a fans’ favourite with his jogo bonito approach to defending.
Fluminense’s Copa Libertadores-winning skipper also faces a battle securing his place alongside Murillo in Cooper’s XI. Willy Boly has been superb this season, while Moussa Niakhate was colossal in Sunday’s 2-0 win over high-flying Aston Villa.
Nonetheless, Nino – or Marcilio Florencio Mota Filho to give him his full name – is most certainly up for the challenge.
Globo Esporte claiming that the 26-year-old is heading to England with Nottingham Forest triggering the £6 million release clause in his contract.
Nottingham Forest are signing Nino from Fluminense
“I said to Nino; ‘If you decide to stay in Brazil, I’ll make every effort. (I will) increase your contract, so you can stay with us for eight, nine, or ten years’,” Mario Bittencourt, Fluminense’s president, now tells Globo Esporte.
“He said he really wants to play in Europe. It’s his dream. We could possibly lose both (Nino and Liverpool target Andre Trindade).
“But we are working to replace them.”
Nino kept his cards close to his chest when quizzed on his future ahead of Saturday’s triumph over Boca Juniors in the final of the South American Champions League. The message coming out of Brazil, however, is that confirmation of Nino’s arrival at Forest is only a matter of time.
Fluminense’s Copa Libertadores-winning captain
“I found out about the interest (of Nottingham Forest) the day before (the final),” the former Brazil U23 international explains. “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.”
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