Statistics reveal why Nottingham Forest could avoid signing 25-year-old – opinion

Leo Bonatini was talking up the prospect of turning his loan deal at Nottingham Forest permanent in March, but poor form and a lack of playing time might suggest otherwise. Bonatini was open to signing for Forest even if they missed out on promotion this season, but he’s not given the Reds a reason to procure his signature given his lack of goals and recent exile from the matchday squad.

The 25-year-old left Wolverhampton Wanderers for Forest in January as he’d fallen out of favour under Nuno Espirito Santo, but he finds himself in a similar situation with Martin O’Neill and may have an uncertain future this summer. Bonatini has made five appearances from a possible 12 (158 minutes) since joining Forest and has failed to score a goal.

With Lewis Grabban, Daryl Murphy and Karim Ansarifard for competition in attack, Bonatini has fallen down the pecking order and is unlikely to be signed as a result. The Brazilian’s form has fallen off a cliff for both Wolves and Forest and it’s unknown if he will feature again before the season finished.

Bonatini’s last appearance was in early-March. Forest only have five games remaining and have all but ruled out promotion.

Crippy Cooke’s previous article