Nottingham Forest sat at the centre of one of last summer’s strangest transfer stories, and Jota Silva has now explained what happened from his point of view.
Speaking on the podcast 90+3, relayed here by Portuguese outlet A Bola, the forward addressed the failed move from Forest to Sporting CP, which collapsed when the registration missed the deadline by just one minute.
Nottingham Forest and Sporting had reached an agreement, but the paperwork did not arrive in time. As a result, Jota Silva later joined Besiktas on loan.
The player stressed that he does not blame Forest or any other party for the outcome.
“It was a difficult moment. In football there are many parties involved, and I think all of them wanted what was best for themselves and what was best for me. There was a shared interest in me being well and being successful,” he said.
Jota Silva explained that negotiations only aligned very late. “There were issues around values that could not be agreed at first. When they finally reached an agreement, there was very little time left. I knew in advance that it would be difficult for things to be completed, but we all decided to move forward anyway.”
Nottingham Forest not to blame
Despite the frustration, the Nottingham Forest player made it clear he never looked for culprits.
“I do not think there are any culprits here. I did not try to find anyone to blame. These are things that happen in football. I would have preferred it not to happen. I would have preferred, because of Sporting’s interest, my interest, the project and everything else, to have joined them”, he said.
He also described how quickly he moved on after the deadline passed. “I deal with this very well. The next day, at eight in the morning, I was up and went to training. Completely calm. Life goes on, and I immediately tried to find a solution.”
That solution came quickly. “We tried to find an alternative straight away and fortunately we did. I went to a big club that also wanted me a lot. I think it was good for everyone.”
Still, he accepts the episode will always be remembered. “It will be marked by the way it happened. If it had not happened on the last day, it would not have had such a big impact. People tell me it was because of one minute, but again, I do not think there are any culprits.”
Fear of losing space and focus on playing
Asked about his playing time in England, Jota Silva admitted he had concerns.
“Of course I was afraid, because I also really wanted to go. It was not something I decided overnight. I saw that I could lose some space this year, and I am obsessed with playing and contributing. I want to play”, he explained.
He also confirmed there were no hard feelings with Forest or Sporting figures. “I was not hurt by anyone, not by Nottingham, not by Sporting’s president. There were no complications at all. Nobody was angry with anyone.”
Looking ahead, the forward played down any talk of a second Sporting attempt. “I have no idea, and I am not thinking about that. Whatever comes will be analysed and decided, from any club in the world.”
For now, the Nottingham Forest owned attacker remains focused on his present at Besiktas. “Things will be decided calmly, as they always have been, and resolved in the best way possible.”
