‘Freak’ midfielder chooses next club after £25m Nottingham Forest links

Nottingham Forest have been in the market for a number of players this summer, with the transfer window now in full swing.

It’s fair to say that so far, it’s been very frustrating in terms of incoming deals, with Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha coming to the club from Botafogo.

Forest need to make sure the squad is well stocked ahead of the UEFA Conference League campaign, which will be on the horizon next season.

With Anthony Elanga signing for Newcastle and Morgan Gibbs-White potentially leaving for Tottenham, it does feel as though things are looking considerably weaker than they did when last season finished.

Forest are targeting players across the pitch and in the coming weeks, things might start to heat up a little bit when it comes to players signing for Forest.

• READ MORE: Nottingham Forest want £25m-rated Liverpool player

Nottingham Forest target Richard Rios makes decision over his future

Rios has been linked with Forest for a little while but quite soon he might become one to cross off the shortlist at the City Ground.

According to journalist Rudy Galetti, the Reds-linked star has now agreed to join Benfica this summer, with Palmeiras happy with their bid of £28 million plus a guaranteed £5 million in add-ons.

Rios has been a standout performer in recent seasons with Palmeiras and helped them defy the odds to reach the quarter-final at the Club World Cup.

Rios has been called a ‘freak athlete’ during his career and as a 24-year-old, he certainly fits the bill when it comes to a player that Forest might look to sign.

However, perhaps there is a sense that a central midfielder isn’t really a pressing concern with a number of players capable of playing there in the current squad.

Forest might have other irons in the fire for midfield engine room

Douglas Luiz has also been linked with Forest and perhaps there are other more pressing concerns for the Reds than Rios being signed to bolster the midfield.

The Colombian player would have certainly been very useful and it’s fair to say that he wouldn’t have broken the bank when it came to the transfer fee either.

Benfica can offer Rios a chance to play in the Champions League, however, and perhaps he sees the Portuguese outfit as a chance to really adapt to European football before eventually moving on to a top league.

Forest might look at this signing made by Benfica in envious fashion, although it does feel as though if Forest really saw him as a top target, they could have signed him ahead of the club he’s now set to join.

Evangelos Marinakis accepts mistake as Nottingham Forest willing to let £5m player leave Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad

Nottingham Forest are busy reshuffling their squad ahead of the new season and it’s fair to say that more activity is taking place when it comes to players leaving the club.

Nuno Espirito Santo has seen Forest sell Anthony Elanga to Newcastle, while Morgan Gibbs-White is being courted heavily by Tottenham ahead of the new season.

Elsewhere, Danilo has headed back to Brazil to join Botafogo and Andrew Omobamidele has signed permanent terms with Strasbourg after a successful loan spell.

Igor Jesus will begin training with Forest on Monday and Ross Wilson hailed Jair Cunha after the 6ft 6in defender also checked in from Botafogo this summer.

Forest are keen to add some players to the ranks, but first, there is another player set to depart from the City Ground in the coming weeks.

• READ MORE: Forest want player hailed by Jurgen Klopp

Nottingham Forest willing to accept mistake on Marko Stamenic

This might be the least surprising news of the transfer window, but reports are now claiming that Stamenic is set to return to Olympiacos on loan.

The New Zealand international won the league and cup double with Olympiacos last season and has featured in friendly games against Chesterfield and Monaco for Forest.

Stamenic might not be on the plane to Portugal, however, with Evangelos Marinakis now seemingly set to send him back on loan to the Greek champions.