A future transfer link-up between Nottingham Forest and Sao Paulo has been mooted as Evangelos Marinakis reportedly ponders investing in the Brazilian club.
In addition to the Reds, Marinakis also owns Greek giants Olympiacos and Portuguese outfit Rio Ave. For some time, there has been talk of the shipping magnate expanding his portfolio of clubs into Brazil.
Sao Paulo president Julio Casares has confirmed an agreement with Marinakis is “getting closer”, with suggestions the investment will be in the youth set-up. As and when any deal is done, Casares believes it will open a transfer pathway - much the same way as players currently switch between Forest, Olympiacos and Rio Ave.
On the possible partnership with Marinakis, Casares told Sao Paulo FC in a translated interview: “He is getting closer and closer, because he came to Brazil and wanted to meet me eight months ago. I went to London twice and things are very close in terms of exchanging documents.
“We hope that we can announce it responsibly soon. After it is signed, we will approve it in the deliberative council and discuss it.
“I have no doubt that it will be a turning point. It is not a sale of the youth team, the assets belong to Sao Paulo, the club is the majority shareholder and will continue to reveal the details.
“Sao Paulo will receive semi-ready athletes, with the potential to play professionally, bringing sporting performance and commercial assets. We will have a faster air bridge to Europe.
“The player who comes to Sao Paulo knows that in two or three years of performing well, he could be in Europe, at Nottingham Forest or Olympiacos or at Rio Ave. So it is a sporting platform, not just a financial arm.”
Get breaking Forest news sent direct to your phone
Join our Nottingham Forest WhatsApp group and get the latest breaking news, interviews and opinion sent straight to your phone, plus matchday team news and live updates of all the action. Just click here and select ‘Join Community’ to get started. The only proviso is that you must have WhatsApp on your phone to participate. No one will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from the NottinghamshireLive Reds writers.
We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily with the latest Reds stories. If you later decide to opt out, just go to the name at the top of your screen and click 'Exit Group'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you are curious, you can click here to read our Privacy Notice.
Forest have several players out on loan at Marinakis’ other clubs this season. Omar Richards and Jonathan Panzo are at Rio Ave, while David Carmo and Marko Stamenic are with Olympiacos.
Meanwhile, the Reds have enjoyed great success dipping into the Brazilian market in recent windows. They currently have Brazilians Murillo, Morato, Danilo and Carlos Miguel on the books.
What do you think of Marinakis' potential investing in a Brazilian club? Click HERE to have your say