Nottingham Forest poised to sign young Monaco winger Gil Bastiao Dias

The Portuguese Gil Dias battles with Italian midfielder Luca Valzania in action during an U21 friendly in May
The Portuguese and Monaco forward Gil Dias battles with Italian midfielder Luca Valzania in during an U21 friendly in May Credit: Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

Aitor Karanka is close to making another huge statement of intent with the capture of Gil Bastiao Dias, the highly-rated Monaco winger.

Dias is having a medical at Forest's training ground later on Friday and is set to sign on loan for the season with the Championship club.

The Portugal under-21 international impressed last season on loan at Fiorentina and has a market value of around £17.5million, with Forest inserting an option to buy him permanently into the deal.

Karanka has already smashed Forest's transfer record with the £13.2m signing of Benfica midfielder Joao Carvalho and the signing of Dias is seen as another big coup for the east Midlanders.

Forest have secured the signature of Joao Carvalho, seen here tracking Marcus Rashford in the Champions league last October Credit: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Dias could have his move confirmed in the next 48 hours, ahead of Forest's return to pre-season training on Monday.

Forest have also signed Benfica winger Diogo Goncalves on loan while former England international Michael Dawson has joined on a free transfer.

Karanka is also targeting another striker, with Bournemouth's Lewis Grabban high on his list.