Nottingham Forest have now made an offer for Benfica defender Morato as they bid to strengthen their rearguard. The Reds have added three players to their ranks this summer, with Gonzalo Montiel set to become signing number four.
According to Mais Futebol, Forest have made an offer of £25 million to try and prise the centre-back away from Benfica. This is the second time in the last week that the Reds have bid for one of their players, with Florentino Luis on the radar.
There could be some problems with completing this signing. Benfica don’t have a great deal of interest in selling the defender and Fulham have already failed to try and get a deal for the player over the line this summer.
Morato has been with Benfica for almost four years. He signed for the club in 2019 from Sao Paulo and has made 51 appearances for the club since he arrived.
It’s hard to call him an integral part of the team at Benfica and perhaps he’s viewed as one for the future. Last season, he made just 21 appearances for the Portuguese outfit as they won the top-flight title, losing just three games all season.
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Morato does look like a solid player for the future. At just 22-years-old, he’s still in the early stages of his career and he was called ‘magnificent’ by Football Talent Scout, Jacek Kulig on Twitter.
Forest now make offer for Benfica star Morato
The Champions League outfit have no pressure to sell their defender. They clearly value him highly and have covered themselves by putting a £85 million release clause in his contract.
Forest are in the market for another central defender. Felipe has a knee problem, whilst Moussa Niakhate has only just returned from a dislocated elbow he suffered in pre-season.
There is also Willy Boly, Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna at the club. Indeed, if a new centre-back is signed, perhaps one of those players will leave this summer.
It’s hard to imagine Benfica accepting this bid for Morato from Forest. However, it looks as though the Reds are keen and if the player holds a desire to come to England, perhaps they could be in business with this one.