Versatile Brazilian winger Pepe has emerged as a potential transfer target for Nottingham Forest as they look to strengthen out wide.
Amid a quiet start to the summer window, the Reds are yet to make any new signings. But transfer activity is expected to ramp up in the near future ahead of the players returning for pre-season training next month.
Forest want to make sure they come through the window with sufficient strength in depth in place. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo will have a European campaign to navigate next term and the additional games could put pressure on his squad.
Bolstering Nuno’s wide resources is on the agenda for Forest. And Porto’s Pepe is the latest name linked with a move to the City Ground.
The 28-year-old is expected to be on the move this summer as his Portuguese club need to raise funds. ESPN claim the Reds are one of a number of sides he is in ‘open talks’ with.
Discussions have also reportedly taken place with Aston Villa, Fulham and Burnley. Meanwhile, Turkish outfit Fenerbahce have ‘initiated contact’ with the player and an unnamed Brazilian team are said to have been in touch with Pepe’s representatives.
Porto are said to believe they can make a ‘good sale’ in offloading the wide man, who is under contract until 2027. They bought him from Gremio four years ago for a fee in the region of €15m (£13m).
O Jogo claim Pepe also has La Liga interest. The Portuguese newspaper reports Porto are not ‘closing the door’ on the player but have €25m (£21m) as a starting point for any transfer negotiations.
A €75m (£64m) release clause is said to have been in place in Pepe’s contract since 2022. However, Porto are of the view it would now be ‘practically impossible’ to bank such a fee.
Since making the switch from his homeland, Pepe has notched up close to 200 appearances for the Portuguese side. Able to operate as a right-back as well as a winger, he has scored 26 goals and chipped in with 29 assists.
Forest are likely to lose Ramon Sosa as one of their wide options ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. The Paraguayan struggled for game time last term and could be on the move to Palmeiras.
Jota Silva has also been linked with other clubs while Anthony Elanga’s future Trentside is in doubt amid interest from Newcastle United. Whatever happens with Elanga, though, the Reds still need to add to their winger ranks as they look to continue on an upward curve.
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