Jota Silva reveals all about failed Sporting move: I was afraid... | OneFootball

It was one of the most remarkable stories of the last summer transfer window at Alvalade. Jota Silva was very close to strengthening Sporting, but the transfer ultimately fell through due to a delay in registration, even after an agreement had been reached between the Lions and Nottingham Forest. The forward ended up being loaned to Besiktas and has now explained, for the first time, how he experienced the whole process.

"It was a difficult moment. In football, there are many parties involved and I think they all wanted the best for each other and the best for me. There was a common interest in my well-being and success. Then there are issues of values that couldn’t be agreed upon... When they finally reached an agreement, there was very little time left. I knew in advance that it would be difficult for things to work out, but we all decided to go ahead anyway. I don’t think there are any people to blame here, nor did I try to look for anyone to blame. These are things that happen in football. I wish it hadn’t happened. I wish, given Sporting’s interest and my own, that I could have joined them for the project, for everything. I handle it very well. The next day, at 8 in the morning, I was up, went to train. Totally calm, life goes on, and I immediately tried to find a solution," he said on the 90+3 podcast.

As for the next step, Jota Silva showed how the solution to move to Turkey came about, something the player considers positive for all parties involved: "Afterwards, we tried to quickly find an alternative and fortunately I managed to, I went to a great club that also really wanted me. I think it was good for everyone."

"It will be remembered for happening the way it did; I think if it hadn’t happened on the last day, it wouldn’t have had such a big impact. What they tell me is that it was by a minute, but I don’t think there are any people to blame. My message is that no one should try to look for someone to blame, neither from Sporting nor from Nottingham, there were no people to blame from any side. These are negotiations, and anyone in football knows this happens, everyone defends their own interests and the most important thing is that I’m okay, and I am okay," emphasized the Portuguese international.

Faced with the parallel to the Adrien Silva case, who was left months without playing due to a similar delay, Jota admitted fears, but stressed that he never held any resentment: "Of course I was afraid because I also wanted to go. It’s not like I woke up one day and decided. It’s also because I saw that I might lose some space this year and I’m obsessed with playing, with contributing. I just want to play. So I saw a good opportunity there, given what Sporting had also shown. Did Rui Borges talk to me? We spoke a few times, but not about the transfer. I wasn’t hurt by anyone, neither by Nottingham nor by the Sporting President. There were no complications, no one was upset with anyone. I want to believe it was more complicated because I’m a good player, meaning they were fighting over me (laughs)... The values were high, good values, so what happened, happened, and it’s time to move on."

As for a possible return to Sporting’s radar in the future, the forward prefers not to anticipate scenarios: "Will there be a second attempt [from Sporting]? I have no idea, and I’m not thinking about it. Whatever comes up, will come up, it will be considered, it will be put on the table, no matter which club in the world it is, just like all the others so far, and I’ll end up deciding, but right now I’m really focused. First on coming back, because I hadn’t had injuries in 10 years, I don’t even know what it’s like to have an injury... But anyway, I’m happy. During that negotiation period, something will surely come up, I’ll have things to decide and I’ll decide as I have until now, very calmly, I’ll give my opinion to my loved ones and those who care about me and things will be resolved in the best way."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.