Nottingham Forest might potentially acquire a defender instead of Virgil van Dijk, as Olympiacos cannot afford to exercise their buy option.
Despite winning the UEFA Conference League last season, the Greek giants, who are also owned by Evangelos Marinakis, are unable to sign one of their loan players on a permanent basis, with sources in Portugal now indicating that Nottingham Forest could take the deal instead.
Nottingham Forest could sign David Carmo.
According to Record in Portugal, Nottingham Forest could take over a deal to recruit David Carmo while Olympiacos struggles to fund it.
The Greek Super League club had signed the Angola international on loan for the 2023/24 season, with an option to buy him permanently from Porto for €17.5 million (£15 million).
However, the Portuguese news agency claims that Olympiacos can only fund another loan agreement, implying that Marinakis might instead relocate Carmo to the City Ground.
According to the Record, Wolves and Leicester are also interested in signing the 24-year-old this summer, and have already contacted Porto to see what it would take to gain his signature.
Carmo appeared in 35 games in all competitions during the 2023/24 season, starring in the heart of defence as Olympiacos won the UEFA Conference League.
Evangelos Marinakis might provide Nuno Espirito Santo with his own Virgil Van Dijk.
Carmo is not a household name in English football, thus a comparison to a more well-known player may be useful for some.
Interestingly, the player from Aveiro has been compared to Liverpool’s No. 4 Van Dijk.
The Manchester Evening News compared Carmo to the Netherlands international, while Jose Carvalho Araujo, who used to work with the defender at Braga, likened him to Sergio Ramos and suggested he could play for Real Madrid.
The 42-year-old told Noticias Ao Minuto: “Without a doubt, he has the talent to play in a big team like Real Madrid. He’s one of those athletes who fosters a positive environment in the locker room. He may not be as magnetic as Sergio Ramos right now, but he could become so with time.”
According to The Athletic, Nuno wants to sign a new center defender as he looks for long-term successors for Willy Boly.
As a result, the opportunity to sign Carmo for £15 million may entice Nottingham Forest; keep a watch on this issue, as anything may happen.
