Nottingham Forest have missed out on the signing of Willian who was available on a free transfer. Despite the Reds not signing anyone yet this summer, the Reds might have been let off the hook here.
It became apparent last week that Forest fancied taking a chance on Willian. He scored five goals and claimed six assists last season and even scored a superb goal against Forest in February.
Still, in 2020, Forest signed another player on the back of a stellar performance against the Reds. Three years later, Harry Arter is bleeding the club of a wage after making just 14 appearances for the Reds.
That comparison is perhaps harsh on Willian. He’s enjoyed a glittering career after all; winning a couple of Premier League titles and the Europa League, making close to 300 appearances in the top flight.
There’s just something that doesn’t quite sit right with this deal, however, and perhaps the club have enjoyed a lucky escape. It does continue to reiterate that Forest need to make sure they’re in the market for the right deals this summer.
MORE FOREST STORIES
Willian would have likely commanded a sizable wage for a two-year contract and unrooting from London. Last season, it’s been claimed that he earned £41,000-a-week at Craven Cottage.
The fact Forest were offering a two-year deal perhaps isn’t such a big issue. There was talk that the second year of his deal would see him head to Olympiacos and Evangelos Marinakis would likely have had something up his sleeve financially.
Forest might have enjoyed a lucky escape over Willian
Ultimately, the 34-year-old might have been using Forest to get more money out of Fulham. That said, it’s claimed that he did visit the club’s training ground last week and met Steve Cooper.
Willian might have done a decent job but he doesn’t really fit into the way Forest play. Furthermore, if anyone was going to get the Willian that was very underwhelming at Arsenal, it was going to be the Reds!
Fulham will now have the Brazilian for another two years. Forest are craving signings pretty desperately, but they shouldn’t be pushed into panic signings and there would have been a sense of that over Willian.
The Reds must be meticulous in the transfer market this summer and some reports have suggested that they might follow the Brighton model. With that in mind, Willian wouldn’t have made a deal of sense on a two-year deal and they’re better off out of that particular race.