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Deal close: Technically gifted ace on verge of joining Nottingham Forest - report
By Matt Farr
Nottingham Forest are edging closer to announcing Benfica midfielder Joao Teixeira as their first January signing, according to a report.
The 22-year-old spent the first-half of the season on loan at Championship rivals Wolves, but Forest have been in talks over a new loan deal that will end the midfielder’s nightmare stay at Molineux.
BBC Sport claimed on their website on Friday afternoon claimed that Forest had agreed terms with the player, but there has been no official confirmation from either club as to the completion of a deal.
Despite making 20 appearances for Wolves this season, manager Paul Lambert had declared him surplus to requirements at the club, allowing his loan deal from Portugal to be terminated.
He had not appeared for the club since the defeat to Cardiff on December 13, only his fourth appearance since Lambert took over at the club. He netted two goals and two assists overall.
A midfielder has been the first priority this week for Nottingham Forest caretaker boss Gary Brazil, following Henri Lansbury’s departure to Aston Villa a week ago.
But although the City Ground chief admitted that there was money to spend, he has instead chosen to focus on bringing in Teixeira on loan until the end of the season.
The arrival of the technically gifted central midfielder will be a welcome boost for Nottingham Forest fans, who have had to endure a fairly miserable start to the season.
The watched helplessly from the stands as their beloved side picked up just eight wins from their opening 28 Championship games this season, a run of form that cost ex-boss Philippe Montanier his job earlier this month.
They are currently 19th in the league, just five points clear of the relegation zone.
Football Insider verdict
Teixeira did not do at all badly at Wolves, as his departure from Molineux appeared more a case of Paul Lambert preferring other players. Therefore, Nottingham Forest will have no reason to be concerned. They have had very little depth in the central-midfield position for some time now, with the long-term absence of the injured Chris Cohen also posing a problem (as well as Lansbury). However, his ability with a ball at his feet, and technically gifted nature will stand him in good stead to be a success story at the City Ground. Gary Brazil needs his players to stand up in the second-half of the campaign, and he looks set to acquire someone that can do just that.
In other Nottingham Forest transfer news, the club have reportedly made the first move in the hunt for Watford forward Jerome Sinclair.
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