Sporting Lisbon head coach Rui Borges has admitted Jota Silva is on the club’s transfer radar, publicly naming the Nottingham Forest winger during his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s clash with Nacional.
The 24-year-old forward, who joined Forest last summer from Vitória Guimarães, worked under Borges previously in Portugal. Since his move to the Premier League, he has struggled to nail down consistent minutes, and Sporting have been circling for much of this window.
Negotiations have been ongoing for weeks, with Sporting preferring a loan move, while Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is holding firm over the club’s terms. With the window entering its decisive stage, pressure is growing on both sides to reach an agreement. Could Jota Silva be about to reunite with his former coach?
Rui Borges Confirms Sporting’s Interest
The Sporting boss was asked about his club’s interest in several attacking options, including Jota Silva, Fotis Ioannidis and Yeremay.
“They are three players who have been identified. Ioannidis has been on the club’s radar for a long time, even before I arrived. Yeremay has enormous potential. Jota is someone I’ve worked with before. It’s normal that these names are mentioned.” — Rui Borges
Borges also stressed that Sporting must stay alert: “At any moment, a release clause can be triggered and there’s nothing we can do. So we must be ready to anticipate things.”
Jota Silva – 2024/25 Season by Numbers
| Stat (2024/25) | Jota Silva |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 38 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Pass Accuracy | 81% |
| Chances Created | 21 |
source: sofascore match data – 22 August 2025
Silva’s debut season at Forest produced 38 appearances in all competitions, but only sporadic starts. He managed five goals and three assists, with flashes of his pace and dribbling ability but without establishing himself as a first-team regular.
Analyst Verdict
Borges’ comments are significant: it’s rare for Sporting’s manager to directly confirm names mid-window. It reflects how strongly he views Silva as part of his plans. The Portuguese winger offers familiarity and tactical fit, especially in Borges’ preferred wide systems.
For Nottingham Forest, Silva remains a promising but peripheral figure. With new signings and squad reshuffles under Marinakis, cashing in or structuring a loan with obligation could prove attractive. Sporting, meanwhile, see a chance to bring back a player still entering his peak years at a reduced risk.
Key Insights
- Rui Borges confirms Jota Silva is a Sporting target
- Manager calls Forest winger “someone I’ve worked with before”
- Talks ongoing between clubs, deal structure remains key obstacle
- Sporting pushing for loan, Forest holding firm on terms
- Silva open to return after limited minutes at Forest
What’s Next
Negotiations will intensify in the final days of the window. Forest’s Greek owner Evangelos Marinakis is seen as the key decision-maker, and Portuguese outlets suggest it is now up to him to greenlight a deal.
If Sporting secure Silva, the winger would be expected to feature immediately in their Primeira Liga and European campaigns. For Forest, his departure could open a squad slot and provide flexibility in their wage structure.
Should Nottingham Forest cash in on Jota Silva now — or hold firm and keep him as depth for their Premier League push?
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