Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Celta Vigo right back Javi Rueda has collapsed after a dramatic late twist in negotiations between the clubs.
The 24-year-old had been identified as a leading target for Forest, who were looking to strengthen the right wing back position before the window closed.
The Guardian had reported that negotiations reached an advanced stage, with a deal worth around £12.8 million under active discussion between the two clubs.
Rueda himself was understood to be open to making the move to the City Ground, with everything pointing toward a swift conclusion to the deal.
However, Marca journalist Matteo Moretto, who also collaborates with Fabrizio Romano on YouTube, has now reported that Celta have withdrawn their approval for the transfer.
The Spanish club had apparently agreed to sell Rueda but reversed that decision after a last-minute twist, deciding that retaining the player was more valuable than accepting Forest’s offer.
Celta head coach Claudio Giráldez had publicly opposed the sale during a press conference, arguing the figures being discussed did not represent good business for the club.
Giráldez also stressed Rueda’s importance to his plans and expressed his belief that the defender was happy in Vigo, adding significant internal pressure against the transfer proceeding.
The financial structure of any deal may have played a major role in the reversal, with Real Madrid holding the right to receive 50 per cent of a future sale fee after Rueda left the club.
A near-£13 million sale would have left Celta with only around £6.5 million, which is not a significant return for a player who has become central to Giráldez’s system.
Celta are now said to be planning an improvement to Rueda’s contract in an effort to remove any remaining uncertainty over his future at the club.
Rueda came through the academy systems at Malaga and Real Madrid before joining Celta in 2023, later spending a productive loan spell at Albacete that prepared him for his La Liga breakthrough.
The right back made 38 appearances across all competitions last season, contributing four goals and seven assists from a position that demands both defensive solidity and attacking output.
His speed, energy and ability to impact the final third made him an obvious fit for Oliver Glasner’s system, which places heavy demands on wing backs to provide width and press aggressively.
Forest had identified the right wing back role as one of their remaining priorities, with Ola Aina and Neco Williams both able to play there but Williams also needed on the opposite flank.
The collapse of the Rueda deal comes as Forest were also completing a club record package with Chelsea for forward Liam Delap, making the setback even more frustrating for the club.
Unless Celta change their position again before the window closes, Forest will need to move quickly in identifying and securing a credible alternative for the role.