President says £68m World Cup winner might choose not to join Nottingham Forest

Add as preferred source on Google

Real Betis star Guido Rodriguez is unlikely to leave his current club for Nottingham Forest. The club’s CEO has been discussing the future of the sought-after player.

Forest were in the market to try and sign the World Cup winner during the summer transfer window. However, it’s now emerged that the player can probably justify waiting for a bigger team.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for the player who will be out of contract during the summer. He has a £68 million release clause in his contract but Betis will have to accept a pretty lower offer – or risk losing him for free.

Forest face fight to sign Rodriguez

The player typically played as a defensive midfielder. Forest had identified Rodriguez as someone who could act as an alternative if the £30 million deal for Ibrahim Sangare didn’t come to fruition.

Now, it would appear that the player will be waiting for a bigger club than the Reds. The CEO has been interviewed by Radio Sevilla and he doesn’t think the Forest will be a preferred destination for Rodriguez.

He said: “If an offer comes from a big team, maybe he’ll leave. If Nottingham Forest comes, he might stay, yes. He could have gone to Lyon, earning more money but he didn’t go.

“There is always the economic part, because it would effectively be his last big contract. He tells us and we believe him, that he has nothing agreed with anyone.”

Reds could get Rodriguez seriously cheap

On one hand, the president has seemingly dismissed Rodriguez heading to Forest. On the other, the Reds would likely offer the midfielder a decent salary and that would surely move his head.

Rodriguez was in the Argentina squad that won the World Cup last year. The 29-year-old still has plenty of life left in his legs and has made 29 appearances for his country.

The Forest-linked Rodriguez has been with Betis for three years. He’s made 158 appearances and several clubs will undoubtedly be alerted to his availability.

Forest might be facing a losing battle to land Rodriguez. However, if they can make the salary worthwhile, the man with a World Cup medal shouldn’t be discounted from a move to the City Ground.