From Portugal: Nottingham Forest transfer could be permanent – 2 players near completion

Getting players on loan from Portugal has been a plan looked at by several Championship clubs in recent seasons.

Wolves had so much success, aided by super-agent Jorge Mendes, with their recruitment from Liga NOS that it’s proved an inspiration for others.

Sunday’s edition of Record reports Nottingham Forest are taking two players from Benfica this summer. It had been reported on Saturday, and confirmed by the player’s agent, that Alfa Semedo would be making the move to the English club.

He’d been chased by Middlesbrough, and last week he was thought to be close to Wigan Athletic, but Nottingham Forest pushed ahead and agreed a deal.

Yuri Ribeiro, a 22 year old left back who was on loan at Rio Ave last season, will join him, with both deals ‘close to completion’. Things will be finalised in the ‘coming hours’, according to Record, and the players will fly to England in the ‘coming days’.

The move for Yuri could even be a permanent transfer, whether initially or via an option, whereas it’s again made clear there’ll be no option on Semedo.