Talks held over 'difficult' Nottingham Forest transfer as key decision looms
On-loan defender Alex Moreno’s Nottingham Forest future could be in doubt amid interest from Real Betis.
The Aston Villa full-back is due to spend the season at the City Ground but currently finds himself out of Nuno Espirito Santo’s starting XI. Neco Williams has pinned down the left-back spot in recent weeks and Moreno is having to settle for a place on the bench.
His situation has led to speculation a move could be on the cards before the transfer window closes on February 3. Betis, where Moreno spent three-and-a-half years before joining Villa in January 2023, are said to be keen.
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According to Spanish newspaper La Razon, Betis have been in talks with Villa about a potential return for the 31-year-old. It is claimed Moreno “would be happy” to head back to his former stomping ground and would be willing to accept a pay cut to do so.
However, there is an acknowledgement it might be a “difficult” deal to do because the ball is in “Forest’s court”.
The Reds hold an option to make Moreno’s move a permanent one at the end of the season. La Razon state Forest could reach an agreement to cancel the Spaniard’s loan, if they do not wish to exercise their option and do not wish to keep him for the rest of the campaign.
Villa, it is said, will look to sell Moreno either in this window or in the summer ahead of his contract expiring in 2026. The West Midlands side would only cancel the player’s loan with Forest if another move is lined up.
Moreno has made 14 appearances for the Reds so far this term but has played only one minute in the last eight league matches. That short cameo appearance came in the closing stages of Forest’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool last week.
The Villa man had been a regular starter earlier in the season but is now finding it tough to get past Williams in the pecking order. As for other left-back options, Nuno can call upon Harry Toffolo while Ola Aina is also capable of operating on that flank and centre-back Morato has played in that position before.
Earlier in the season, Moreno said he was "really happy" at Forest. Back in October, he said: “It’s going really well. Settling in has been great. The club has helped me a great deal; the staff, my teammates and the coaching staff. This enables you to settle in as quickly as possible, and to be honest I’m really happy.
“It’s a really good-hearted dressing room. It’s incredible the respect and warmth in there, and how much everyone cares for each other.
“It’s a joyful place, there’s music on every day. I feel it’s a really healthy dressing room, which I feel is ultimately what’s most important with this season in mind, and that’s one of the things that I’ve liked since I arrived here.”
