The arrival of Edu Gaspar as Nottingham Forest’s Head of Global Football was meant to take the club up a level, but instead it seems it has caused more problems.
Friday was a day filled with surprises for Nottingham Forest, and it wasn’t the good kind. Nuno publicly admitted his relationship with Marinakis was fractured, sparking reports that the Portuguese manager’s job was under threat.
It then emerged that Nuno may not even be in charge ahead of Sunday’s Crystal Palace fixture, but then it came out that Evangelos Marinakis wanted to find a resolution until any decision was made.
Finally, it was reported that the role of Edu Gaspar was a major reason behind the rift and that the Brazilian blocked a transfer that Nuno wanted to happen.
Nuno wanted to sign Adama Traore but the move was blocked by Edu
Nuno Espirito Santo wanted to bring in Adama Traore as a wide option for Nottingham Forest but was left ‘fuming’ when Edu Gaspar blocked the deal, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The information from Jacobs says that there were ‘positive internal talks’ surrounding a potential move for Traore.
Nottingham Forest News previously reported Forest were in talks with Fulham for Traore; later it emerged that Nuno was desperate to sign the Spanish winger.
The Forest boss managed Adama Traore at Wolves over the course of 131 games and is well familiar with the talents of the winger.
Adama Traore is in the last year of his Fulham contract, so a move for the player could have come at a cut-price deal.
However, it seems Edu felt he was either not a good fit for the squad, or the money involved was not worth signing him, much to the disappointment of the 51-year-old manager.
Nuno is a big fan of Adama Traore after previously coaching him at Wolves
Nuno Espirito Santo has never been shy about how he views Adama Traore, and that is likely a big reason why he wanted to sign him.
In 2019, he described him as a player with ‘unique qualities in football’ and later said in 2020 that he was ‘fantastic and talented’.
The profile of Adama Traore is something you do not see often. The Spanish international is both rapid and highly physical, making him one of the toughest players for defenders to deal with.
The signing of Traore would have given Forest something different, and having previously played under Nuno Espirito Santo, he would have immediately known the values and principles the Portuguese manager relays to his squad.
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