Fabrizio Romano has provided an update this morning on Nottingham Forest and their pursuit of Gonzalo Montiel. The Reds were linked with the player yesterday and a deal could now be edging closer.
According to the transfer guru, the Reds are close to signing the player from Sevilla initially on loan but the deal will include a mandatory option to buy him. He also believes that an agreement on personal terms is now close to being finalised.
The 26-year-old will have to be viewed as a bit of a coup for the Reds. He was part of the Argentina outfit that won the World Cup in 2022, featuring in four of the matches; including 30 minutes in the final where he scored the winning penalty.
Montiel has been with Sevilla for two years after he signed for the club from River Plate. He actually played seven minutes for Sevilla as recently as Wednesday as they lost to Manchester City in the UEFA Super Cup.
In total, he’s made 72 appearances for the La Liga outfit and largely operates as a right-back. That aspect is intriguing given that Forest already have Serge Aurier and Neco Williams for that position.
Clearly, the club has something in mind. It’s hard to imagine Forest signing Montiel and keeping the pair at the club when both are unlikely to play.
Montiel has picked up 23 caps for his country. He will forever go down as one of the players who won the World Cup. He’s now set to embrace a new chapter in the Premier League, with the deal drawing to a close.
Romano explains further details on Forest pursuit of Montiel
This does look like a good signing. Last season, he made 43 appearances in all competitions, including seven in the Europa League and four in the Champions League.
Montiel has previously been praised by Julen Lopetegui. The man who departed Wolves in the summer called him an ‘animal’ for his no-nonsense approach to defending.
At 26, the defender has lots to offer Forest. He fits the profile of a player that Forest would like to sign down to the ground and he could be a very decent addition.
With the player now on his way to England this looks like one that could get done very quickly. With Manchester United away to come on Saturday, it could be a tough baptism of fire for the player.
Montiel has seen it all before, however. He won’t be fazed by these big trips in the Premier League and he could prove an astute signing for the Reds.
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