Nottingham Forest transfer latest provided on 27-year-old

The 27-year-old has failed to play a single minute in the Reds’ last four league games, with ex-AFC Bournemouth captain Steve Cook arriving at the City Ground this month and becoming one of the first names on the teamsheet alongside Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna in the second-tier side’s back three.

Worrall and McKenna have also been regular starters for Forest this term with the former attracting Premier League interest since the summer and the latter proving to be a reliable figure at the heart of defence.

Although Worrall is currently out of action with broken ribs, potentially giving Figueiredo the opportunity to shine, manager Steve Cooper has opted to utilise a flat back four instead and that has kept the latter out in the cold in the East Midlands.

Loic Mbe Soh and Rodrigo Ely may also return from their respective injuries shortly to provide competition in the centre, something that will only go on to limit his playing time further.

Defensive duo Tom Holmes and Kristian Pedersen have been linked with a move to the City Ground this month, and although a move looks unlikely at this stage, there could still be arrivals coming through the door and that may provide the former Portugal youth international with an escape route.

However, Forest won’t receive a fee for him if they do let him go, with Vitoria Guimaraes only looking set to approach Figueiredo if he terminates his contract at the English club early. His deal with the Reds doesn’t expire until the summer.

The Verdict:

Whether the Championship side should let him go or not depends on the fitness and reliability of Mbe Soh and Ely – because they could be short on options in the back three if those two aren’t fully fit and the Portuguese defender moves on.

Consid