According to Fabrizio Romano, the defender is going to sign for Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ahli, with his medical now pencilled in for today.
It’s claimed that his contract has now been signed and the deal will cost Al Ahli a sum of around £25 million.
Ibanez would have been a quality signing for the Reds. At 24-years-old, the Brazilian is a player with years ahead of him and he’d have fit the profile nicely for Forest.
Ibanez has been with Roma since 2020. He checked in from Atalanta and had previously played for Fluminense in Brazil.
The centre-back has made two appearances for the national team. Now, Jose Mourinho has sanctioned the departure of the player who was being eyed by Forest.
They’ve now missed out, however, and the need for a new centre-back is becoming extremely urgent.
Moussa Niakhate is out with a dislocated elbow, whilst Felipe has a knee problem that could rule him out for the start of the season.
Willy Boly, Scott McKenna and Joe Worrall are the options available and Steve Cooper will want to recruit another defender.
Forest have missed out on big Ibanez signing
At 24, the player would have been a quality signing for the Reds. However, Forest simply can’t compete with the wealth of the Saudi clubs right now.
Ibanez was thought to be interested in a move to Forest. Ultimately, Al Ahli are now going to win the race, after blowing the Reds out of the water.
The Reds need a busy week in the transfer market. Things have to be cranked up ahead of the Premier League season which begins next week.
Forest are set to bolster their goalkeeping ranks today. Matt Turner is due for a medical from Arsenal and his first game for the club could be against the Gunners on Saturday.
Ibanez looks like another one to now scrub off of the list. Forest will now go in search of other defenders ahead of their trip to Arsenal next weekend.
At 24, it’s perhaps disappointing that Ibanez has chosen to sign for a Saudi Arabian outfit. Ultimately, however, this is what the Reds are up against during this transfer window.
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