Nottingham Forest are set to miss out on the signing of Roger Ibanez with the Roma player now agreeing on personal terms to move elsewhere.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the defender is going to sign for Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ahli.
It’s claimed that his contract is ready to be signed and the clubs are now working hard to agree on a price.
Ibanez would have been a quality signing for the Reds. At 24-years-old, the Brazilian is a player with years ahead of him and he’d have fit the profile nicely for Forest.
Ibanez has been with Roma since 2020. He checked in from Atalanta and had previously played for Fluminense in Brazil.
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The centre-back has made two appearances for the national team. Now, Jose Mourinho is willing to let him leave and Forest were keen.
They look to have missed out, however, and the need for a new centre-back is becoming extremely urgent.
Moussa Niakhate is out with a dislocated elbow, whilst Felipe has a knee problem that could rule him out for the start of the season.
Willy Boly, Scott McKenna and Joe Worrall are the options available and Steve Cooper will want to recruit another defender.
Forest set to miss out on Ibanez signing
At 24, the player would have been a quality signing for the Reds. However, Forest simply can’t compete with the wealth of the Saudi clubs right now.
Ibanez was thought to be interested in a move to Forest. Ultimately, Al Ahli are now going to win the race, after blowing the Reds out of the water.
The Reds need a busy week in the transfer market. Things have to be cranked up ahead of the Premier League season which begins next week.
Forest are three or four signings short. The club needs to start getting things right in the transfer market if they’re to enjoy a better campaign.
Ibanez looks like another one to scrub off of the list. Forest will now go in search of other defenders ahead of their trip to Arsenal next weekend.