Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola is trying to make sense of an increasing number of rumours indicating that Gustavo Scarpa may be leaving the City Ground, just a year after Nottingham Forest signed him on a free transfer. Nicola is doing this by posting on his official YouTube channel.
At Palmeiras, Scarpa—Brazil’s 2022 Player of the Year—started the season off well under Steve Cooper, but an injury cut short his first season in England. Meanwhile, a summer loan transfer to Olympiakos has not yet paid off.
Even if teams like Palmeiras, Fluminense, and Atletico Mineiro could afford him, late-blooming 29-year-old Scarpa would not be in a rush to return across the Atlantic, according to Nicola, who was so accurate in his reporting on his move to Forest a year ago.
Gustavo Scarpa hopes to impress Nottingham Forest
“From what I heard from a person close to Scarpa, he will insist on staying (at Forest),” Nicola explains. “He has always had difficulty adapting during all his spells at big clubs. He took a while to break through at Fluminense and Palmeiras but persisted.
“Scarpa thinks he needs until the middle of next year to show whether he has the capacity to play in Europe.”
Scarpa will have played a whole season for Olympiakos by then. Nicola is quick to point out that although the Brazil international has had a difficult start in Greece, it normally takes him some time to settle into a groove.
Scarpa’s wages as a Nottingham Forest player, however, are significantly higher than what even the greatest clubs in Brazil could pay him. He currently makes £35,000 per week.
Currently lent to Olympiakos
Nicola continues, “The financial issue is a huge impediment for all these clubs.”
“Scarpa would need to go back to Brazil on a loan, with Nottingham Forest paying a portion of his salary.”
The idea that Atletico Mineiro can sign Scarpa (at his current salary) is impractical. Prior to Scarpa returning to Brazil, a few things must occur.
“A portion of Scarpa’s salary will have to be paid by Nottingham Forest, and his desire to return will determine what happens next.”
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