A prolific offensive player who Nottingham Forest attempted to sign late in the summer transfer window has sustained a serious injury in training, according to a new report.
Nottingham Forest enjoy productive summer
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side has had a strong start to the current Premier League season, going undefeated with one win and two draws. It was also a successful summer in terms of transfer activity, with the Reds adding major players to their team.
Elliot Anderson moved from Newcastle United in a big-money deal, giving Nuno extra talent and depth in the middle of the park, while Nikola Milenkovic joined from Fiorentina. There was also savvy cheaper business, with James Ward-Prowse signing a season-long loan deal from West Ham.
Aside from incomings, Forest are said to be in contract talks with important player Morgan Gibbs-White, as they try to lock down probably their most valuable asset with an agreement that will keep him at the City Ground for many more years.
The midfielder has been called up to England’s current squad, which is well-deserved, but it also means that his profile is growing, increasing the likelihood that bigger teams may make a play for him in the near future.
The Reds did miss out on signing some players throughout the summer, particularly in their pursuit of a new centre-forward due to concerns about Chris Wood’s age and Taiwo Awoniyi’s fitness, but it appears they may have gotten away with one of those targets.
Flamengo star Pedro suffers ACL injury
According to Globo [via Sport Witness], Nottingham Forest transfer target Pedro ruptured his ACL during a training session while on international duty with Brazil, after the club’s approach was rejected late in the window.
The Flamengo attacker is anticipated to be sidelined for several months as he recovers from a significant setback, with his international teammates giving him messages of support on social media following his second serious knee injury in his career.
This suddenly feels like a giant bullet dodged for Forest, as harsh as that may be in reality, with the prospect of them spending a lot of money on a player whose ailments appear to be holding them back from reaching their full potential a nightmare for any team.
It’s a terrible blow for the athlete, who has earned a reputation for himself in his own country, scoring 132 goals in 259 games for Flamengo and demonstrating his tenacious character in front of goal. He has also scored once in six Brazil caps, with a total of 30 goals in all competitions in 2024.
Pedro has earned the nickname “The Finisher” from fans and commentators alike for his goal-scoring exploits in the final third, so it’s easy to see why Forest wanted to bring him to the City Ground.
It remains to be seen how much of an impact this ACL injury will have on him; nevertheless, given the gravity of such a setback hitting for the second time, the Reds may have to reconsider bringing him back in the future, if the opportunity arises.
It remains to be seen how much of an impact this ACL injury will have on him; nevertheless, given the gravity of such a setback hitting for the second time, the Reds may have to reconsider bringing him back in the future, if the opportunity arises.