Nottingham Forest are set to complete a second signing of transfer deadline day after the loan addition of James Ward-Prowse.
New players are required at the City Ground, with Nuno Espirito Santo keen to ensure his squad is well stocked ahead of the window closing.
Ward-Prowse is joining Forest on loan from West Ham for the season and the 29-year-old is on his way to Nottingham.
Now, another signing is close, with Forest stepping up their chase for new players.
Fabrizio Romano confirms Nottingham Forest deal for Morato
According to Romano, the Reds have agreed a £15 million deal for Morato and the signing has been given a ‘Here we go’ from the transfer guru.
The Reds have won the race for the player’s signature with Fulham and Tottenham also showing an interest this summer.
Morato will bolster the club’s defensive ranks at a time when perhaps options are required within the squad.
The 23-year-old has been with Benfica since 2021 when he checked in from Sao Paulo and he’s been instrumental since signing.
He’s made 86 appearances for the Portuguese giants but the club are now willing to sell the player amid interest from the Premier League.
This deal does seem like one to add some competition to the ranks and Morato is likely to be the cover for Murillo given that he’s a left-footed option.
Forest focusing on the future with Morato signing
A number of things could be happening here. Forest might just be adding competition to the ranks, with Joe Worrall now departing the club for Burnley this summer.
That said, Willy Boly and Andrew Omobamidele are in the Forest ranks as backup to Milenkovic and Murillo.
Espirito Santo might look to play three at the back in certain games this season and perhaps that would give Forest options should Morato get over the line.
Morato looks like a pretty useful signing and at 23 he also fits in with the profile of player that the recruitment team has tried to target this summer.
Who Scored shows that Morato’s strongest attributes are tackling and passing, whilst they don’t cite any particular weaknesses in his game.
Okay, Forest are desperate for a striker in the here and now but ultimately there is nothing wrong with focusing on the future and signing a player like Morato for this price feels like good business.
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