Nottingham Forest set to re-sign defender on four-year contract with deal very close

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Nottingham Forest didn’t use the loan market particularly well last season and this summer the club is yet to sign any temporary additions.

Alex Moreno has been linked with a loan to Forest and perhaps one of two will happen before the window closes.

Last season, however, was a disaster with all of the club’s loan projects failing to make any impact of note on Forest’s campaign.

With that in mind, it’s perhaps somewhat strange that Forest are now edging close to the signing of one of the players who joined on loan last summer.

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Nottingham Forest set to sign Gonzalo Montiel

The Argentine defender was busy winning the Copa America with Argentina in the summer – with that medal going alongside his World Cup medal.

Now, according to journalist Fernando Serrano, Forest are close to the re-signing of Montiel on a permanent deal.

The Reds are going to pay around £7 million for the player’s signature and will also include another couple of million in the way of add-ons.

Montiel spent the 2023/24 campaign at the City Ground and struggled for a consistent run of games in the team.

He barely featured at all under Steve Cooper – suggesting he wasn’t a signing sanctioned by the head coach – but did get some chances under Nuno Espirito Santo.

Montiel’s best two performances came during a 3-1 win over Newcastle and a 2-1 win over Manchester United in December.

In 19 appearances, he registered three assists for Forest and it had looked as though the club weren’t keen on taking him permanently.

However, it would appear that something has changed with the Reds now looking to bring him back to Nottingham on a permanent basis.

Montiel would be most disappointing signing of the summer so far

In our view, this feels like a lazy signing to a certain degree.

For starters, Forest have Neco Williams and Eric da Silva Moreira who can play at right-back and it’s probably a left-back that is required.

All of the players signed so far have been joined up and all have fit the profile of players with time on their side to improve and hold resale value.

Montiel is only 27 and in the short term, he might prove to be a useful addition to the ranks this season.

However, it’s fair to say that Montiel didn’t blow anyone away during his time at Forest and surely there are better options out there.

The Argentine now looks close to a move to Forest and it’s easy to understand fans’ concern over this deal.

Forest need to make sure they get the final pieces of the jigsaw in place and hopefully, there is no meddling going on with the recruitment team more than proving their worth this summer.