Nottingham Forest have confirmed the stunning signings of duo Joao Carvalho and Diogo Gonclaves from Portuguese giants Benfica, as revealed on the club’s official website.
The website reports that 21-year-old Carvalho have agreed a move to the City Ground for a club record fee and will officially sign a deal on 1st July that commits him to the club with a long-term contract for the next five years.
As for 21-year-old Gonclaves, he will join Aitor Karanka’s side on a season-long loan also from 1st July, and there is an option to switch the move on a permanent basis come the end of the 2018/2019 Championship campaign, should the youngster impress.
OPINION
Forest are showing their Championship rivals they mean business in this transfer window by splashing the cash on this talented pairing. Carvalho is the subject of a club-record fee which will leave fans drooling at the prospect of his performances at the City Ground next season. Karanka has needed to bolster his squad this summer if they faced any chances of pushing further up the table, or even make a bid for promotion. They lacked any goal-scoring prowess last season after finishing in a lowly 17th, but this dynamic duo will most certainly change that with the fast-flowing football they were used to playing for Benfica in Portugal’s top flight. Their attacking intent will ensure that the Reds are a formidable force in the second tier next term, providing support to the forwards. Their wealth of experience from playing with a top-level team who has previously featured in the Champions League will be of the utmost importance to Karanka, who will rely on them both to add that little bit of extra flair to his side.