Joao Carvalho’s Nottingham Forest future has been the subject of much speculation during the transfer window.
Fellow Evangelos Marinakis-owned club Olympiacos were said to be keen, with suggestions the midfielder could be a replacement for Daniel Podence, should he join Wolverhampton Wanderers.
But while one-time Reds target Podence is reportedly close to making the move to Molineux, Greek outlet SDNA claim Olympiacos are “close” to replacing him - and not with Carvalho.
They say: “By Sunday, the issue of Podence’s transfer to Wolves will be over and Olympiacos are close to his replacement.”
Lisandro Semedo, who plays for OFI on loan from Fortuna Sittard, is billed as the Greek club’s top target.
The report claims Podence is set to make the trip to England for a medical and his club “are in the process of replacing the Portuguese ace”.
It adds, Olympiacos “have spoken with the Dutch team (about Semedo) and have the upper hand, with his clause amounting to 1.5m euros”.
Turkish side Trabzonspor have also been linked with Carvalho, but Forest head coach Sabri Lamouchi says he remains an important part of his plans.
“For me, he is a Forest player,” he said, when asked about the midfielder’s future this month, amid the transfer speculation.
“He knows exactly what I am waiting for from him. I need more.
“He is a fantastic player.
“He needs to help us. He needs to help the club. He needs to help his teammates.
“He knows his level. He knows what I am waiting for from him.
“I don’t have any problem with him.
“But him, and all of them, they are not my friends, they are my players.
“We want to achieve our goals, so we have to be tough, work hard and keep going.
“He is a Forest player.”
