Fulham, Nottingham Forest looking to sign Sao Paulo youngster?

Fulham and Nottingham Forest have both reportedly identified Sao Paulo youngster Pablo Maia as a potential transfer target.

Having both earned promotion to the Premier League earlier this year, the Cottagers and Tricky Trees are attempting to establish themselves in the top flight.

Fulham have enjoyed by far the better start to the campaign, collecting 18 points from their 12 fixtures to currently sit in seventh spot in the table.

In sharp contrast, Forest are bottom having accumulated just nine points from the same amount of games, despite a famous win over Liverpool at the weekend.

Nevertheless, despite over two months remaining until the next transfer window, both clubs are already giving consideration to their potential purchases in 2023.

According to Lance!, the two newly-promoted teams have emerged as admirers of Maia, who has established himself as one of Brazilian football's under-rated prospects.

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Despite having never represented his country at youth level, the 20-year-old is already a first-team player at Brazilian giants Sao Paulo.

During a campaign where his club sit in eighth position in the standings, Maia has made 18 starts and 10 substitute outings in Brasileirao Serie A.

Maia has frequently been used as a defensive-minded midfielder during his time as a professional, although he is capable of dropping into central defence or playing with more attacking responsibility.

The report suggests that Sao Paulo are willing to accept offers in the region of £8.7m with Maia's contract due to expire in September 2023.

That still leaves Tricolor Paulista with one transfer window to negotiate a sale, rather than risk a departure on a free transfer.

Neither Forest or Fulham were shy in making additions during the summer, with the former bringing in excess of 20 fresh faces to boost their squad.

Although Fulham did not come close to those levels, Marco Silva still opted to sign as many as 11 new players after winning the Championship title.