Wilmar Barrios, the Zenit Saint Petersburg midfielder, recently addressed questions about Nottingham Forest’s transfer interest. His remarks were reported by Sports Express, which highlighted the moment when speculation about a potential move surfaced.
Barrios explained the sequence of events clearly: there were conversations about a move to Nottingham Forest, but those discussions belong to the past. At one stage, Zenit officials met with Barrios’ representatives to discuss extending his contract. The midfielder said he welcomed that offer, and a renewal with Zenit followed, signaling his contentment with his current club. This perspective helps explain why a transfer did not materialize at that juncture.
According to journalist Ivan Karpov, during the winter of 2023, English clubs showed interest in acquiring the Colombian midfielder on a free transfer, given that Barrios had not signed a new deal with Zenit, and the club had the option to suspend the contract under FIFA rules. Barrios reportedly informed Zenit about Nottingham Forest’s approach, yet the club advised patience until the summer to pursue further triumphs. In April 2023, Barrios did sign a personal contract with the Premier League side, indicating a shift in his availability and a potential path to the English league.
In the following summer, Nottingham Forest returned with an offer of 4 million euros for Barrios. Zenit, however, stood firm on a minimum asking price of 20 million euros, signaling a strong stance on valuation despite earlier convergences. These developments illustrate the careful balance clubs strike between interest from abroad and the club’s own financial thresholds.
Barrios has worn the Zenit jersey since 2019, contributing to the club’s domestic success as a five-time Russian champion and a holder of Russia’s Cup, achievements accumulated during his time with the St. Petersburg squad. His tenure at Zenit has been marked by consistent performances that helped solidify the team’s stature in both national and European competitions.
In related talk, discussions have occasionally touched on the salaries and terms players receive, including remarks about the squad’s financial arrangements. These comments reflect the broader conversations around player compensation in top-tier football, where salary and transfer value often become focal points in negotiations and public discourse.