Report: Nottingham Forest offered £22,000-a-week player a pay rise, £9m fee was agreed

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Nottingham Forest offered to give Real Betis defender Alex Moreno a pay rise before he rejected a move to England in the summer.

According to The Athletic, the La Liga outfit felt that the 29-year-old was destined to make the switch to the Premier League.

In the end, he stayed loyal to Real Betis and he’s helped them make a blistering start to the 2022/23 campaign.

Moreno is an integral part of Manuel Pellegrini’s team and the Seville-based team looks like enjoying another steady campaign.

The 29-year-old stunned the Reds by rejecting their advances during the summer. At one point, it seemed that the deal was done.

Moreno does earn a modest £22,000-a-week with Real Betis and it’s no surprise that the player would have earned a wage rise in England.

The versatile left-sided performer arrived at Betis in 2019 from Rayo Vallecano and previously played for Elche.

He typically operates as a left-sided wing-back but has also been deployed as an attacking option on certain occasions.

Forest were busy in the transfer market during the summer. As a result, they did manage to get over their Moreno setback quickly.

Renan Lodi arrived from Atletico Madrid, whilst Harry Toffolo and Omar Richards also bolstered the full-back ranks.

Forest offered Moreno a pay rise

This piece of information perhaps represents that Forest still have some work to do.

After 23 years without Premier League football, the Reds will have a fair few players casting doubt over their potential as a top-flight club.

Forest must prove that they’re here to stay if they’re to attract more established players in future transfer windows.

Moreno must have had some doubts, although having spent his entire career in Spain, he might have preferred to stay at home.

Forest did some good business. If they can avoid relegation this season, there will be an option to sign Lodi on a permanent basis.

Moreno would have bolstered the left side considerably. It seems clear that Forest were desperate to sign him.