Nuno Espirito Santo certainly seems to have a squad capable of pushing up the ladder and towards the rarefied atmosphere of mid-table.
Despite links to clubs higher up the Premier League pyramid, the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Anthony Elanga, Murillo and star creator Morgan Gibbs-White all still wear Garibaldi red.
The reliable Matz Sels looks like an upgrade on Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos between the sticks.
In Elliot Anderson, Nottingham Forest have also snapped up one of the division’s most promising young midfielders from Newcastle United in a surefire deal that sent bench-warmer Vlachodimos to the other side.
At £6m, Jota Silva could be one of the bargains of the summer.
Nottingham Forest have signed Portuguese ace Jota Silva from Vitoria
Jota, twice capped by Portugal and perhaps unlucky to be left out of Roberto Martinez’s Euro 2024 squad, became the first Vitoria de Guimaraes player in more than four decades to score 15 league goals from the right wing last season.
And despite interest from top rivals including Wolves and Brighton, Forest completed a deal for the handsome striker for a fraction of his £17m release clause.
Although Vitoria did not look like a team mourning the sale of a striker, in their first appearance without their departed king. Os Conquistadores beat Floriana in their Conference League qualifiers and followed up Jota’s first-leg winner with a crushing 4-0 victory on Portuguese soil.
Ricardo Magnas – nominally a left-back – was the unlikely hero of the evening, scoring twice and providing an assist.
The loss of last season’s top scorer is likely to be felt much more strongly when domestic action returns, but the Magnas are taking the opportunity to pay tribute to the man who fired Vittoria into the top five after 2017.
“Jota Silva has left an indelible mark on the club and we have a lot of affection for him,” Magnas told A Bola. “Vitoria is deeply grateful for his contribution. I wish him every success in the new phase of his career.”
Ramon Sosa could be the City Ground’s latest signing
It was a week of emotional farewells for Nottingham Forest.
Rui Borges, Jota’s head coach at Vitoria, boasted ahead of this clash in Floriana.
“Jota is a different player, special for the team and the fans,” Borges said via O Jogo. “I’m happy for him. He deserves it because of everything that’s happened to him.
“I understood why he was successful. Because of his character, his personality and the way he goes about his work. He really surprised me. I have no doubt that he will be very successful.”
“Jota was a good example (for the team). He surprised me in a very positive way. I knew he could leave at any time, but everyone who saw him work every day saw that his commitment was unreal. He will reach where he wants to, because of his resilience and character as a human being.”
Jota could soon be joined by another talented wide man at the City Ground.
Ramon Sosa, rated at £16m, is also expected to arrive after a fine spell in Argentina with Talleres. Their own head coach, Walter Ribonetto, took aim at Borges on Thursday, admitting that Sosa’s departure is all but guaranteed before the window closes.