During the summer transfer season, Nottingham Forest actively sought to add quality over quantity, and the club did a fairly good job.
The Reds signed nine players to their squad for the 2024/25 season, while two more, Marko Stamenic and David Carmo, joined Olympiacos on a season-long loan.
Forest drew players from throughout the world. A plethora of talented players were signed, with no less than 14 heading off on international service.
The window signaled a significant shift in tactics from the Forest’s perspective. Quality players were added, and the club avoided spending large sums on players who are well past their prime.
Jota Silva’s entrance was particularly intriguing. The player arrived from Vitoria, and some facts about the transfer have emerged from Portugal.
Club president explains why Jota Silva picked Nottingham Forest.
The Reds spent roughly £11 million for Silva in the summer, and the trade came about unexpectedly during the window.
Forest moved quickly to sign the player, who had 15 goals and seven assists in Portugal last season.
Silva has already got off the mark for Forest. He equalized against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, but the Reds lost on penalties.
It has now been revealed why Silva selected Forest, with claims claiming he is getting a lower wage than if he had joined one of the other clubs interested in him this summer.
Club president Antonio Miguel Cardoso told O Jogo: “It’s their career, and in this house, we managed to reconcile a club that wanted Jota, a league that Jota wanted, and pay figures for Jota that I believe are lower than the other proposals, but he had this goal.
“If the player dreams of going to the Premier League, if the player doesn’t want to go to emerging markets, as was the case with these offers, or to peripheral markets, we have to be sensitive to that.”
Silva can star for Forest this season.
It’s fair to assume that the man who was dubbed ‘unreal’ after his debut start against Newcastle will have to work hard for opportunities at Forest.
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga are the team’s regular options out wide, and they will be difficult to replace.
Silva, on the other hand, made the most of his opportunity against Newcastle, and at 25, he will be ready when Nuno Espirito Santo calls on him.
All the winger can do is keep seizing opportunities when they arise. Since Espirito Santo joined the club, he has been eager to reward good performances, which bodes well.
Silva appears to be a dedicated player, and over the course of a long season, he should have numerous opportunities to shine for the squad.
