According to reports, Reading FC are close to landing Norwich City forward Nelson Oliveira as they aim to bolster their attacking front for next season following a disheartening end to their previous term. The Portuguese forward has had a decent season in the Championship for the Canaries last term and at 25, is in his prime.
Reading’s forward line is quite exhaustive with the available options of Yann Kermorgant, Joseph Mendes and Dominic Samuel. The Royals could manage to score just 68 goals last season in 46 games, compared to Newcastle United’s 84, which reflects the difference in quality. And Oliviera could be the ideal fit to fill up that void for them.
Norwich City aren’t in a happy space either. Following their dismal season in the Championship where they missed the playoff qualification spot by a whopping 10 points, Carrow Road is undergoing some changes in the squad with some players bound to move out. Graham Dorrans was one such example, who sealed a move to Rangers only recently.
And Reading could take advantage of it for sure. The Royals managed a decent third-placed finish last season and the lure would surely be more. A move for Oliviera could be close as Norwich City manager Daniel Farke refused to comment on the player’s current situation.
Speaking to the media, he said, “I’ve said several times, I won’t comment on any rumours about any of my players… Nelson is in pretty good shape and he’s pretty motivated, he’s my player and we worked a lot in the last two weeks and I’m pretty content.”
Oliviera was yet again on target in Norwich City’s pre-season tour when they played against Lowestoft. The Canaries won the game easily by a 5-1 result and the manager who works closely alongside Norwich’s Sporting Director Stuart Webber would understandably be unwilling to sell him.
An academy product of Portuguese side SC Braga, Oliviera was first picked by current Liga NOS champions Benfica back in 2006. He continued his progress well, breaking into the first team as early as 2009 and he was sent on loan to Rio Ave FC. It was the start of a flurry of temporary stints that saw him play for FC Paços de Ferreira, La Liga side Deportivo de La Coruña, Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais FC, English sides Swansea City and Nottingham Forest.
His impressive form in England led the Canaries to grab him at the first chance. He has since then scored 12 goals and registered two assists for them in 30 appearances. While the forward hasn’t been very regular for the national side, he has still managed 16 caps since debuting in 2012.
