Jota Silva looks set to join Sporting, with the deal expected to be wrapped up by Sunday. According to Portuguese outlet O JOGO, negotiations with Nottingham Forest have gained momentum in recent days, and the finish line is now in sight.
The operation is being handled by Jorge Mendes and should see Sporting pay between €7m and €8m for 70% of the winger’s rights – a figure also quoted to Roma, who reportedly entered the race late. Earlier in the window, the English club had been asking for €15m for the full package.
Nottingham Forest’s position was to only allow a loan, following instructions from owner Evangelos Marinakis. But with the window winding down, the Portuguese press are claiming they have now opened the door to a permanent solution.
Still, it would be a major surprise if Jota Silva ends up in Italy. He’s spent practically the entire window in contact with Sporting, has already spoken more than once with manager Rui Borges, and is reportedly eager to reunite with the coach he briefly worked under at Vitória Guimarães.
For Mendes, it’s him putting his toe into the Nottingham Forest water as Edu and favoured Kia Joorabchian deal with the ongoing inferno after Nuno Espirito Santo’s press conference comments.