Evangelos Marinakis has earned praise for his transfer dealings at Nottingham Forest, but one potential bargain appears to have slipped through his fingers.
The summer signings have been pivotal to Nuno Espirito Santo’s impressive turnaround of Forest’s fortunes, with the team now enjoying a run of six consecutive Premier League victories.
Among the standout arrivals were Nikola Milenkovic, who has formed a solid defensive pairing with Murillo, and Elliot Anderson, whose midfield contributions have significantly strengthened the squad. Both deals have proven to be financial and tactical successes.
However, the decision not to pursue Spanish winger Raul Moro in January raises eyebrows.
Ajax Agree Terms with Raul Moro
Forest had been linked with Moro, who was made available by Real Valladolid, but reports from De Telegraaf suggest that Ajax has stolen a march on the deal. The Dutch club has reportedly reached a ‘personal agreement’ with Moro and is negotiating a transfer fee.
Ajax’s initial offer of £5.8 million is slightly below Valladolid’s £8.3 million asking price, but the minor gap indicates a deal is likely to be finalized soon.
With Ajax now fully focused on securing Moro, Forest’s decision not to challenge for his signature could be seen as a missed opportunity.
Raul Moro: A Missed Bargain for Forest?
Moro’s reported £8.3 million price tag would have made him an affordable addition, even less expensive than Ramon Sosa, who has struggled for consistent game time since joining Forest.
Primarily a left-sided midfielder, Moro excels in key areas where Callum Hudson-Odoi has underperformed this season.
Moro boasts a 30.6% cross completion rate per 90 minutes compared to Hudson-Odoi’s 16.3%, a significant upgrade that could have benefited strikers like Chris Wood.
Additionally, Moro averages 2.4 completed dribbles per match, surpassing Hudson-Odoi’s 1.59.
While Hudson-Odoi doesn’t necessarily need replacing, Moro’s availability at a modest fee with better statistical performance suggests he could have been a valuable addition. Forest’s choice to pass on the Spaniard might prove to be a decision they regret.
