Nottingham Forest winger outlines Vitor Pereira 'hope' as summer decision looms

Following the collapse of a deadline day move to Sporting Lisbon last summer, the Portuguese headed to Besiktas. The deal included an option for the Turkish side to sign him permanently but they have not taken that up.

It leaves a question mark over what next for Jota, given the Reds have several options out wide after strengthening that department 12 months ago. But the 26-year-old is hopeful having countryman Vitor Pereira at the helm could provide him with a fresh start Trentside as he prepares to link up with his parent club again.

Asked whether Pereira’s arrival could improve his chances of establishing himself in the Premier League, Jota told Portuguese newspaper Record (via Sport Witness): “I hope so.

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“Vítor Pereira did a phenomenal job by securing Nottingham Forest’s survival with two or three games still left to play. He did it after taking over a team in a very difficult situation.

“From what I hear from my teammates, he managed to win over the group. The squad really likes the way the manager works and feels happy because they are playing attractive and exciting football. The performances have also been accompanied by results.”

The wide man added: “I will report for duty and do everything possible to have a great season individually and collectively, whether at Nottingham or another club I represent.”

Pereira has spoken about the importance of pre-season for his group after steering Forest to safety following his appointment in February. The 57-year-old made a significant impact when he became the club’s fourth head coach of the campaign and is keen to build on those foundations.

It remains to be seen whether his plans will include Jota, who joined the Reds from Vitoria Guimaraes in the summer of 2024. Although the winger scored four goals during his first year at the City Ground, he found it tough to pin down a starting spot and was keen to secure regular game time elsewhere.

It led to the opportunity to go to Sporting, only for an administrative error to scupper the deal as the window closed. His subsequent loan stint at Besiktas did not turn out as hoped.

“I can say it was a season of learning,” Jota admitted. “I went to a big club and, collectively, I believe we could have done more.

“In football we cannot predict things and think ‘if it wasn’t for that coach’. We all should have done more because we had an incredible squad full of great players. We could have solved certain problems and we did not.

“I spent a year at Vitoria Guimaraes where we worked with five coaches and broke the club’s points record. We could not wait for leadership to come from the coach. We knew we had to go onto the pitch focused because a good group wins, solve problems and achieve objectives.”