Nottingham Forest are reportedly battling Brentford and Reading to sign another Portugal-based prospect in the shape of Bruno Paz, with A Bola claiming that Sporting Lisbon could consider offers of around £2.7 million.
While Wolverhampton Wanderers cruised to the Championship title in 2018 with Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota, Helder Costa and Ivan Cavaleiro running rings around second-tier defences, it is fair to say Forest’s own Iberian experiment has yielded rather more mixed results.
But despite the underwhelming spells endured by Alfa Semedo, Diogo Goncalves and even £13 million record signing Joao Carvalho, it seems that the East Midland giants are set to return to a familiar hunting ground once again.
Bruno Paz, a 22-year-old defensive midfielder who can also play at right-back, is a target not only for Sabri Lamouchi’s Forest but also Reading and promotion-chasing rivals Brentford.
The former Belenenses youngster has made just one first-team appearance at the Estadio Jose Alvalade but Sporting Lisbon still want £2.7 million for his signature.
Los Leonos are in the midst of a serious financial crisis, however, and may be willing to reduce that fee in negotiations.
This comes just a fortnight after Record claimed that Nottingham Forest were set to send Semedo back to Benfica when his loan spell at the City Ground comes to an end. Paz could perhaps be a readymade replacement, signed from a club in the very same city.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
