Nottingham Forest 'pushing hard' to repeat Danilo transfer trick amid £84m release clause stance
Nottingham Forest have their eye on Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios as they look to maintain their lofty position in the Premier League table.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are on an eight-match unbeaten streak in all competitions and are third in the league table. Given how well this season is going, the club are well aware of the importance of doing the right transfer business in the January window.
The Reds do not need to make too many changes to Nuno’s squad. But according to Brazilian publication Premier League Brasil, Rios is being “closely watched” by the club.
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It is said a push for the 24-year-old’s signature has been given the green light with “approval internally” at the City Ground. However, it remains to be seen whether there is any progress on that front this month as it is said there are “no ongoing negotiations” between the two teams.
Forest are well stocked in the midfield department at present, particularly with ex-Palmeiras ace Danilo having made his comeback from a broken ankle. Other areas of the pitch are viewed as a greater priority for strengthening before the window closes on February 3, with sourcing additional firepower top of the agenda.
The Reds are also not the only ones keeping tabs on Rios, who has a hefty €100 million (£84m) release clause in his contract - although reports suggest it would take a fee of less than that to prise him away. CaughtOffside report Tottenham Hotspur have already seen one bid rejected this month, while Everton are said to have joined Forest in “pushing hard” to secure his signature.
The Colombia international is under contract at Palmeiras until 2028. Premier League Brasil report the Brazilian outfit have no intention of letting him go before this summer’s Club World Cup.
Forest saw Danilo return to action from off the bench in last weekend’s FA Cup win over Luton Town. He had been sidelined since the opening day of the campaign.
In addition to the 23-year-old, Nuno has Ryan Yates, Elliot Anderson, Nicolas Dominguez and James Ward-Prowse as options for the midfield spots. Long-term absentee Ibrahim Sangare will hope to soon add his name to the list as he is making progress in his recovery from a hamstring problem.
