Talks between Nottingham Forest and Brazilian side Palmeiras over defender Morato did at one point move beyond an initial enquiry, but the process now appears to have reached a clear stopping point.
According to ESPN Brazil, Nottingham Forest first shut the door on any discussion, as the club had no intention of negotiating Morato at the start of the window.
The centre-back’s name has circulated in Brazil for months, yet Nottingham Forest’s early stance left little room for progress.
However, after Palmeiras pushed again, Nottingham Forest agreed to open talks under specific conditions. The Premier League side proposed including young defender Benedetti, a 19-year-old academy product, as part of a potential deal. That request changed the tone of the negotiations.
Palmeiras quickly rejected the idea of involving one of their defensive prospects. Following that response, the Brazilian club chose to end the conversations altogether, with no formal offer submitted.
Nottingham Forest’s request for Benedetti appears to have scared them off.
From Forest’s perspective, the episode reinforces their firm position. Morato remains a protected asset, and any deal would need to satisfy broader sporting considerations, not only a transfer fee. The request for Benedetti also suggests Forest explored ways to combine immediate value with future upside.
Nottingham Forest are better waiting for Benedetti
Benedetti, full name Luiz Gustavo Roncholeta Benedetti, moved to the Palmeiras youth system in 2022. He was in the club’s first team within three years, and now 19-years-of-age, he’s starting to attract some attention.
Given his relative lack of minutes so far in his career, the youngster may struggle to meet work permit requirements, depending on the level of any transfer fee. At least another season in Brazilian looks like the bets idea, and perhaps Nottingham Forest can ask for an option clause next time Palmeiras knock for Morato.
For now, Palmeiras have stepped away, and Morato stays at Nottingham Forest. With the situation seemingly closed, Forest remain comfortable holding their ground as the window continues.
