Jota Silva opens up on future as Nottingham Forest return goes unmentioned

Nottingham Forest winger Jota Silva has opened up about his long-term future while enjoying his loan spell at Olympiacos, making it clear that one day he intends to return to Vitória de Guimarães.

The 27-year-old remains contracted to Forest but is spending this season in Greece, where he is receiving more regular football after struggling for minutes last season.

While Jota insists he is not making immediate plans, his comments suggest his long-term ambitions could eventually take him away from the City Ground.

Speaking to A Bola, Jota ruled out an imminent return to Portuguese football but revealed there is one move he considers inevitable.

“I don’t think about returning to Portugal in the near future,” he said. “But one thing I know for certain: I will return to play for Vitória de Guimarães. That’s a yes or yes.”

Jota spent two seasons at Vitória before joining Nottingham Forest in 2024 and clearly retains a strong connection with the Portuguese club.

He did not specify when that return might happen, stressing that he prefers to concentrate on his current situation.

Notably, there was no similar declaration about returning to Forest and attempting to establish himself there.

For now, Jota appears extremely happy at Olympiacos.

The winger has not been an automatic starter but is already receiving considerably more playing time than he managed last season.

Jota described his loan move as “the right step”, highlighting the opportunity to compete for trophies, play European football and feature regularly.

He has also settled quickly into the dressing room and says he already feels as though he has been at Olympiacos for years.

That is particularly important after a difficult period in which his future repeatedly appeared uncertain.

Jota also discussed his failed move to Sporting in 2025, which collapsed when the registration process missed the deadline by around a minute.

He confirmed that all parties wanted the transfer to happen.

“Everyone wanted the best possible deal – Sporting, Nottingham Forest and me,” Jota explained.

The winger admitted the collapse hurt but insists he quickly moved on.

His situation contrasts with fellow Forest-owned player Gustavo Sá, who is also developing at Olympiacos. Sá has openly spoken about his excitement at eventually joining Nottingham Forest, while Jota’s longer-term outlook appears far less certain.

Jota’s immediate focus is Olympiacos, and there is no indication that a return to Portugal is imminent.

The bigger question for Nottingham Forest will come once his loan ends. His previous failed Sporting transfer already showed that Forest were prepared to find him another club, while his latest comments hardly suggest the City Ground is central to his long-term plans.

That does not automatically mean his Forest career is over. Jota remains their player, and circumstances can change quickly.

However, if he continues performing well in Greece, Forest could potentially have another opportunity to find a permanent solution next summer.

One destination for later in his career already appears certain in Jota’s mind: Vitória de Guimarães.