Nottingham Forest have been linked with Benfica duo Joao Carvalho and Diogo Goncalves.
According to a report in the Daily Mail, Nottingham Forest are set to complete a sensational double swoop for Benfica youngsters Joao Carvalho and Diogo Goncalves.
It is reported that attacking midfielder Carvalho will join the Reds in a deal worth £13 million, while right-footed left winger Goncalves is expected to join him at the City Ground on loan for the season.
Both players joining Forest would send out a huge signal of intent in terms of the club’s promotion aspirations, yet it raises questions over the current Forest squad and how many changes could be about to take place.
Goncalves is a 21-year-old Portugal U21 international who broke into Benfica’s first-team picture last season. He is incredibly highly-rated, and he would quite easily be one of the best players in the Championship.
But his arrival raises questions over academy product Ben Osborn, with both players playing in the same role.
Osborn broke into the Forest first-team picture in the 2013-14 campaign, and he has since gone on to feature in over 170 Championship matches despite still being only 23 years of age.
He has featured in every league match for the past two seasons, though boss Aitor Karanka moved him to left-back at the back-end of last season as he played loan signing Lee Tomlin in a wide left position.
The Nottingham Post recently reported that relegated Premier League side Stoke City are keen on his signature, with a figure of £5 million being touted about as the Potters look to make an immediate top-flight return.
Osborn has plenty of potential, but perhaps he hasn’t impressed Karanka in his natural attacking role and Goncalves arriving from Benfica could push him out of the first-team picture altogether.
Moreover, Karanka is still seemingly in the market for a new left-back therefore it suggests he doesn’t see Osborn’s future there, and he may see Stoke’s reported interest as a potential possibility to bulk up his summer transfer kitty.
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