EXCLUSIVE: “I TOLD THE BOARD—SIGN HIM!” — Vítor Pereira SENDS Shockwaves with Public Plea for Liverpool Superstar
**Nottingham Forest’s new Portuguese boss has sensationally declared his “obsession” with a Liverpool player, revealing he even approached Arne Slot directly after the match to inquire about a deal.**
**By [Football Den]**
**Date: February 23, 2026**
**Location: The City Ground, Nottingham**
In a press conference that will be talked about for weeks, a visibly impassioned Vítor Pereira has done the unthinkable. Just days after masterminding a stunning 3-0 victory over Fenerbahce in the Europa League, the new Nottingham Forest head coach has risked the wrath of the Liverpool dressing room by publicly declaring his undying desire to sign one of their crown jewels.
Speaking exclusively to the media ahead of this afternoon’s massive relegation six-pointer at the City Ground, Pereira did not hold back. When asked about the quality of the opposition, the Portuguese tactician lit up, but not about tactics or formations. Instead, he launched into a fervent monologue about a player he simply cannot get out of his head.
> **”I have told the Forest board—if you want me to stay here and build a winning team, you must find a way to sign this boy,”** Pereira revealed, his eyes wide with conviction. **”I am obsessed. I even asked Arne Slot after the game what it would take to get him.”**
The confession has sent the football world into a frenzy. While Pereira refused to name the player to protect his “private conversations,” impeccable sources close to the Forest camp have confirmed to us that the object of his affection is Liverpool’s Dutch midfield sensation, **Ryan Gravenberch** .
### The Midfield General
Pereira, who took over a Forest side languishing in 17th place just a week ago, knows that survival depends on quality, not just quantity . While the Reds boast superstars like Mohamed Salah and the creative genius of Florian Wirtz, it is the engine room that has caught Pereira’s tactical eye .
Gravenberch, who has been reborn under Arne Slot this season, provides the perfect blend of physicality and grace that Pereira craves for his “identity” at Forest . Sources tell us that Pereira views the 23-year-old as the “complete midfielder” who could transform the Forest spine for a decade.
### The Slot Conversation
But perhaps the most explosive element of Pereira’s admission is the apparent conversation with Liverpool boss Arne Slot. According to Pereira, the two managers shared a moment after the recent fixtures—likely referencing Slot’s attendance watching Pereira’s European debut—where the Forest boss went straight for the throat.
> **”I asked him, straight up. No games,”** Pereira allegedly told his inner circle. **”Arne just laughed. He knows what he has. But I had to try.”**
Slot, for his part, remained diplomatic in his pre-match press conference this week, though he hinted at the quality of his squad. When asked about the difficulty of facing a new manager, Slot noted the strength of the Premier League and the need to focus on his own team’s fitness, conveniently sidestepping questions about his players’ futures .
### A Statement of Intent
For Nottingham Forest, this is more than just a rumor. It is a statement of intent from an owner, Evangelos Marinakis, who is known for his ambition, and a manager who is not afraid to think big. Having just appointed their fourth manager of a turbulent season, the hierarchy at the City Ground are desperate for stability and success .
Pereira’s public plea is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it fires a warning shot to the rest of the league that Forest are willing to play with the “big boys” in the transfer market. On the other, it risks alienating a Liverpool side that has historically been ruthless in holding onto its core assets.
### What Happens Next?
As the two sides prepare to lock horns at the City Ground, all eyes will be on the tunnel. Will Gravenberch shake Pereira’s hand? Will Slot shoot a wry smile at his counterpart? One thing is for certain: this saga is far from over.
Forest fans will be dreaming of a midfield general to lead them away from the drop zone. Liverpool fans will be hoping their Dutch master stays put. And Vítor Pereira? He’ll be watching Gravenberch’s every move this afternoon, dreaming of what could be .
**Nottingham Forest vs. Liverpool kicks off at 2:00 PM GMT. We will have all the reaction and, potentially, the first glimpse of Pereira’s “obsession” in the flesh.**
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**Social Media Reaction:**
– *”Pereira is actually insane for this. Gravenberch in a Forest kit? Never happening.”* @LFC_KopTalk
– *”Honestly? If Marinakis backs him, who knows. Pereira worked wonders at Wolves.”* @NFFC_World
– *”Slot looked terrified in that presser. He knows Pereira is onto something.”* @PremierLeagueBanter
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