Nottingham Forest are now looking to the transfer window to strengthen their team ahead of their new chapter in the Premier League, and a reliable journalist has given an update on the club's pursuit of a potential target.
What's the latest?
According to Sunday Mirror Sports news editor Darren Witcoop, Nottingham Forest are "leading the race" to sign Lucas Joao.
Witcoop tweeted:
"Reading resigned to losing star man Lucas Joao this summer. Nottingham Forest leading the race for the Portuguese striker. Watford also in the hunt for his signature."
Keinan Davis upgrade
Nottingham Forest will be in the market for a striker this summer as loanee striker Keinan Davis will return to parent club Aston Villa, but they could be about to sign a massive upgrade on their current number nine as Joao has been much more prolific in front of goal.
Davis scored five goals and contributed two assists this season in 15 Championship appearances, but was only part of the team on a six-month loan.
Joao, however, has been a goal machine for Reading over the last three years scoring 38 times and contributing 14 assists in 83 appearances, with a goal contribution every 116 minutes, proving that he could add a real attacking threat for Forest in the striker role next season.
It's not just his goals and assists that have caught the attention of Forest, as the 28-year-old has been a force in all areas of his game this season in the Championship winning 4.7 duels and proving successful in the large majority of his dribbles (63%), according to SofaScore.
The 6 foot 2 forward was hailed by former teammate Jose Semedo, who was full of praise for the striker after Joao's international debut for Portugal.
Semedo told BBC Radio Sheffield: "He's remarkable. I don't remember any other player playing second division and getting picked by Portugal."
"I love the way he plays. He combines power, pace, skill and he's a big guy."
With that being said, if Forest could secure the deal for the £5m striker it would be a major signing for the club ahead of next season in the Premier League and would give them more depth in terms of goal contributions.