Nottingham Forest agree £9m deal for Sevilla right-back Gonzalo Montiel with Argentine World Cup winner set to be the latest addition to Steve Cooper’s squad

• Nottingham Forest have agreed to sign Gonzalo Montiel from Sevilla for £9.4m 
• Montiel scored the winning penalty for Argentina in last year’s World Cup final 

• Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal for Argentina international right-back Gonzalo Montiel from Sevilla for £9.4m.

  Montiel, 26, scored the winning penalty in the World Cup final as Argentina overcame France last year and did the same in the Europa League final last season as Sevilla beat Roma.

  The defender also netted in the shootout during Sevilla’s defeat to Manchester City in the Super Cup.

• Since joining Sevilla from River Plate in 2021, Montiel has made 72 appearances for the Spanish club.

  Forest have brought in Anthony Elanga, Ola Aina and Matt Turner in this transfer window, while they have also signed Chris Wood on a permanent basis.

• 
• Nottingham Forest have agreed a £9.4million deal for Sevilla defender Gonzalo Montiel
• Argentina international Montiel is set to become the latest addition to Steve Cooper’s squad

• They started the Premier League season with a 2-1 defeat away to Arsenal but then managed to beat Sheffield United by the same scoreline. Forest star

  Sevilla, meanwhile, lost 2-1 to Valencia in their opening La Liga game before their Super Cup clash against City.

  Montiel scored the decisive penalty for Argentina against France in the 2022 World Cup final

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  Vinicius Souza moment that gave early glimpse into what Sheffield United can expect

  The Brazilian midfielder made his first Premier League start in the 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Friday evening

   

  Vinicius Souza will become a firm favourite of the fans if his first start in a red and white shirt is anything to go by. The Brazilian midfielder made his full debut at the City Ground in the 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.

  He eventually came off with cramp due to the lack of game time since arriving from Lommel in Belgium but it was an impressive 60 minutes in the tank. It was also a performance that offered a glimpse into what we can expect.

  At 6ft 2in, the 24-year-old brings a physical presence to the midfield that Sheffield United have not had for some time. Strong in the tackle and not afraid to get to stuck in, there was one moment in the second half that showed exactly what he was about.

  It was a 50/50 challenge and he threw himself into the tackle, stopping the Forest attack as he managed to get enough of both ball and man. He then punched the ground and jumped up, such was his delight in his action.

• “You can see what he is, he’s a presence,” Heckingbottom told SUTV afterwards. “He has composure on the ball and he loves to
•  compete.
• 
• “He celebrates winning tackles and drives his teammates on. He plays with a smile on his face and we love having him here.”

  Souza had a 100% success rate in this respect, winning all five of his tackles, more than any other player on the pitch ahead of Orel Mangala and Neco Williams (four) and two clear of Norwood and Anel Ahmedhodzic (three) in a United shirt.

• Not only does he enjoy the physical side of the game, he also showed he could pass the ball as well as he spread play out wide and was not afraid to shoot. Indeed, he came close to finding the net on two occasions.

  He brought a smart save from Matt Turner in the first half, with a curling effort from the edge of the box that he held on to with both hands, before sending a similar effort just wide of the keeper’s left-hand post after excellent work down the right channel by Will Osula, who proved enough of a nuisance to create the opening.

• Although a defensive midfielder, sitting alongside Oliver Norwood in a central two that allowed Norwood more opportunity to express himself, Heckingbottom will like his efforts from just outside the area.

  The Blades boss is keen for his players to contribute in the attacking third and will encourage more of that. He also made two interceptions and had an 81% pass success rate.

  He comes with pedigree having spent a season in La Liga with Espanyol but in terms of his first start in the Premier League, it has certainly whet the appetite for more.