Nottingham Forest winger Jota Silva missed out on a deadline day move to Sporting by a matter of seconds. Forest and Sporting had a deal agreed for the player for loan with a £3.9million fee, as well as a obligation for Sporting to buy Jota for £13.5million at the end of the season.
TalkSport has reported that the agreement was reached at 11pm Portuguese time on deadline day, leaving Sporting with an hour to finalize the deal before the midnight deadline. They failed to do so, missing the cut-off by just seconds.
The initial delay in the deal stemmed from the buy option of the loan, with the clubs opening talks several weeks prior. Sporting initially wanted a loan with a non obligatory option to buy, while Forest always wanted to sell the player.
The clubs compromised on a deal with a loan fee and a obligation to buy at a later time. The agreement came too late however and the player’s return to Portugal failed to materialize.
Jota denied Portugal return, could still exit Forest
Jota has three years remaining on his contract at the City Ground but is understood to have ruled out a return to the fold at Forest. The 26-year-old joined Forest just last summer from Vitoria Guimaraes and made 37 appearances last season scoring four goals and adding three assists.
He has featured just once this season though, as a late substitute in Forest’s season opening win over Brentford. The player has not been included in Forest’s matchday squads for their other two Premier League matches since.
Jota could still have his wish granted this summer, as the transfers windows of other leagues remain open. Turkey and Saudi Arabia have windows that close on September 11th and 23rd respectively, and Saudi Pro League side Neom SC are interested in a move for the 26-year-old.
They are set to make a loan approach with an option to buy ahead of next week’s deadline.
