Nottingham Forest get opportunity to immediately replace Danilo after lifeline offered on £28m target

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Danilo has completed a move away from Nottingham Forest, returning to Brazil to sign for John Textor-owned Botafogo.

Evangelos Marinakis and Textor have a good relationship and it’s clearly been exploited to benefit both parties this summer, with Danilo’s move to Botafogo following Forest’s double-swoop of the Brazilian side.

First, Forest signed Igor Jesus from Botafogo after the 24-year-old impressed at the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA. He was then followed by Jair Cunha, a colossal centre-back who also scored at the competition.

While not crucial to Nuno Espírito Santo, Danilo’s role at Forest could still do with replacing, which could result in a trip back to Brazil to sign a particularly impressive talent from Palmeiras.

Nottingham Forest offered lifeline in pursuit of Richard Rios

Even before Danilo’s departure, Forest were very much in the market for a central midfielder. Douglas Luiz has long been linked with Forest, but another target that had caught the eye was Colombian star Richard Rios.

The deal looked unlikely as Rios preferred a move to AS Roma instead, but difficulties in negotiations have seen the Italian side pounce to sign an alternative.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Roma have agreed a deal to sign Moroccan midfielder Neil El Aynaoui from Lens for a fee of £20m, a significant portion of the fee they would’ve had to cough up to Palmeiras for Rios.

Forest’s interest in Rios dates back to January and he has previously been linked with a move to Manchester United, as well as more recent interest from Zenit in Russia.

While Roma’s transfer dealings don’t necessarily mean that they won’t return for Rios, Forest can now take a chance to steal a march on the Italians to sign a midfielder who could even be an upgrade on Danilo.

Richard Rios would provide Forest’s midfield with new strengths

Danilo’s departure leaves Elliot Anderson as Forest’s most dynamic midfielder, but his energy is something that Rios could replicate and support.

Rios is an incredibly busy midfielder, wanting to get involved going forward as well as in defence. His eight goal contributions are only matched by Anderson in the Forest squad, but the Colombian has scored more goals himself.

He also has a strong ability to win fouls for his side, which could be useful should Forest begin to transition into a slower tempo, possession style rather than relying on counter attacks, a style he could also excel in though given his strength in recovery runs.

It remains to be seen whether Roma try to sign Rios on top of El Aynaoui, but Forest should remain in the race for the Palmeiras man as the natural Danilo successor.