Nottingham Forest talks collapse after Benedetti request scares off Palmeiras

Nottingham Forest briefly opened the door to negotiations with Palmeiras over defender Morato, but discussions have now broken down after a key request from the Premier League side changed the tone of talks.

According to ESPN Brazil, Forest initially made it clear they had no intention of negotiating Morato at the start of the transfer window. Despite persistent interest from Brazil, that firm stance left little room for progress.

Palmeiras eventually pushed again, prompting Forest to soften their position — but only under strict conditions. During talks, Forest proposed including Luiz Gustavo Roncholeta Benedetti, a highly-rated 19-year-old defender from Palmeiras’ academy, as part of any potential agreement.

That suggestion immediately altered the dynamic. Palmeiras rejected the idea outright, unwilling to include one of their young defensive prospects in the deal. Following that response, the Brazilian club opted to step away entirely, with no formal bid ever submitted.

Forest’s request for Benedetti is understood to have effectively ended negotiations.

From Nottingham Forest’s perspective, the episode reinforces their position that Morato is a protected asset. Any deal would need to satisfy broader sporting considerations rather than simply meeting a transfer fee.

The inclusion of Benedetti in discussions suggests Forest were exploring a structure that combined immediate value with long-term upside, rather than a straightforward sale. When that avenue was closed off, Forest were content to walk away.

Benedetti joined Palmeiras’ youth system in 2022 and broke into the first-team picture within three years. Now 19, the centre-back is beginning to attract attention, but his limited senior minutes could complicate any immediate move to England.

Work permit regulations would likely pose a challenge unless a significant fee were involved, making another season in Brazil a sensible next step for his development. Forest could yet revisit the idea in the future, potentially through an option-based structure if Palmeiras return with interest in Morato again.

For the moment, Palmeiras have stepped away and Morato remains at the City Ground. Nottingham Forest are comfortable holding their ground as the window progresses, having made it clear they will not be pressured into deals that do not align with their long-term planning.

Unless Palmeiras change their stance or return with a different proposal, this particular avenue appears closed. Forest, meanwhile, are in no rush to alter their position as they continue to assess options during the window.

Was Forest right to demand future upside in negotiations — or did the Benedetti request unnecessarily kill a potential deal?