According to Portuguese outlet Record, Martin O’Neill has opted against turning Diogo Goncalves’ move permanent this summer. The left-winger has struggled for form and playing time since joining Nottingham Forest on loan from Benfica and doesn’t appear to have a future at the City Ground.
Goncalves had a buying option attached to his contract when he arrived at Forest, but the Reds have no intention to trigger it. The 22-year-old has made 10 appearances in all competitions (446 minutes), failing to score or make an assist. He’s made only three appearances since October 2018, spending the majority of the campaign on the bench (13 times) or out of the matchday squad (26).
Record say Benfica manager Bruno Lage plans to recall the wide-man to the senior squad next season, so are Forest missing a trick? Goncalves won’t be guaranteed first-team football at the Estádio Sport Lisboa e Benfica as he’s racked up only 618 minutes of playing time in the last two years, but he clearly has some potential if he’s being considered.
The youngster has spent his entire career at Benfica, but the Primeira Liga club were happy to loan him out last summer as he was surplus to requirements. His performances at Forest aren’t likely to have changed his parent club’s mind either, so the wide-man’s future could still be uncertain.
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