Suspicion Nottingham Forest pulling strings to avoid paying €11m for signing – Still have chance to buy player on bargain deal
Over the past few weeks, various claims have indicated Gonzalo Montiel’s future could be away from Nottingham Forest.
Last summer, the Argentina international joined Nottingham Forest from Sevilla on loan with an obligation to buy if certain set conditions are met.
According to Vamos Mi Sevilla FC, the Reds have to pay €11m to the La Liga side if the right-back is to feature in at least 50% of their matches this season.
The 27-year-old has clocked in 1,069 minutes from 18 games, which includes 13 league appearances for Nottingham Forest this season.
Montiel initially featured for the Premier League side before being left on the bench/out of the squad by Steve Cooper. The latter was replaced by Nuno Espírito Santo in December and the World Cup winner immediately returned to the pitch and featured regularly until February.
He lost his place again between February and April, and has returned to the pitch in the Reds’ last three league games.
The report states Sevilla ‘suspect that a black hand may have pulled a string’, meaning Nottingham Forest decided not to play him, to avoid exercising €11m purchase obligation.
Montiel is likely to return to Sevilla, who are aiming to sell him for a fee around €4-5m in the summer window. If Nottingham Forest are keen on retaining him, they could buy him on a bargain deal.
Earlier this month, La Nacion stated that River Plate see Montiel as a market opportunity, after their former player sent signals to them over a possible transfer.
