Nottingham Forest are said to have shown an interest in Portuguese defender Ruben Vinagre.
But they are not the only club being linked with the Sporting left-back. Fulham and Turkish outfit Fenerbahce are also keen, according to reports in Portugal.
Reds head coach Steve Cooper has made three signings so far this summer, and further business will be done as he puts together a squad ready for the step up to the top-flight. Left wing-back is one of the areas he will look to strengthen, in preparation for the club’s return to the Premier League.
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Although his spell at the City Ground was hampered by injuries, Sheffield United loanee Max Lowe was a key player in that position last season. Back with his parent side, he has since been the subject of a bid from fellow Evangelos Marinakis-owned team Olympiacos.
Midfielder Jack Colback filled in when Lowe was sidelined, and his versatility will be useful again, but the Reds are short on options. There is a question mark over the future of Nicholas Ioannou, who spent last term on loan at Como 1907. Richie Laryea can play there but may well head out on loan, while new arrival Giulian Biancone is primarily a right-back.
A Bola claim Vinagre is “back in England, apparently to reinforce Nottingham Forest”. Meanwhile, Record - via Sport Witness - report the Reds, the Cottagers and Fenerbahce have “already shown interest”, with a return to England the “most attractive solution” for the player.
Vinagre has experience of English football from his time with Wolverhampton Wanderers. After a loan move, he made the switch to the West Midlands permanent in 2018, making 43 league appearances across his two spells.
He had loan stints at Olympiacos, Famalicao and Sporting during his time at Molineux, joining the latter permanently last summer. He found regular game time hard to come by in 2021/22, however, and is said to be keen to play more minutes elsewhere.
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