Nottingham Forest now following 24-goal striker – Marinakis connection could prove key

Nottingham Forest are now being linked with Armando González as Olympiacos push to sign the Chivas striker.

The Greek club have already made two approaches for the 23-year-old. Their latest attempt could also have implications for Forest, given Evangelos Marinakis owns both clubs.

Mexico’s TUDN reported that Olympiacos have increased their offer to around €8.5m (£7.4m). Chivas would also receive 20% of any future sale.

The first proposal was worth around €6m (£5.2m), according to the Mexican outlet, and was rejected.

Nottingham Forest now watching González

The thing is Armando González has now also attracted attention directly from Nottingham Forest.

TUDN journalist Erick López reports the Premier League club are following the Mexico international’s situation. But there is no formal Forest offer at this stage.

That makes Olympiacos the club doing the actual negotiating. Their connection with Forest inevitably makes the situation more interesting from an English perspective.

TUDN even points towards that relationship when discussing González’s future. They suggest performing well in Greece could make a later step to the Premier League easier.

And there is already a precedent from this transfer window. Gustavo Sá moved from Famalicão to Nottingham Forest earlier this summer, before being sent on loan to Olympiacos for a year.

That makes the possibility of Olympiacos acting as a first European stop for González worth keeping in mind. There is no indication, though, that Marinakis’ clubs have already agreed such a pathway for the Mexican.

Olympiacos also appear to have convinced the player. Greek reports say González has given his approval to the move. That leaves an agreement with Chivas as the main obstacle.

He previously rejected the opportunity to join CSKA Moscow. The absence of UEFA competition for Russian clubs played a part in that decision. Also, he was linked to West Ham earlier this summer, but no negotiations followed.

Chivas holding firm despite second bid

Armando González is in a strong position at Chivas after signing a new contract until 2029 in December.

He scored 24 goals across the 2025-26 season, with 12 in each Liga MX tournament. That made him Chivas’ highest-scoring U23 player across a single campaign.

His current Apertura has started more slowly. González has played 195 league minutes without scoring.

Chivas nevertheless have a release clause of around €12.8m (£11.1m) for the striker. Olympiacos’ improved proposal therefore remains some distance from that figure.

There was another curious development against Santos Laguna on Sunday. González didn’t play a minute in Chivas’ victory. Afterwards, cameras showed him celebrating enthusiastically with manager Gabriel Milito.

Several members of the coaching staff then hugged the striker. El Futbolero says some Chivas supporters interpreted those scenes as a potential farewell. That’s speculation for the moment, although the timing certainly helped fuel it.

Olympiacos still have plenty of time to negotiate, with the Greek transfer window open until September 15.

For Nottingham Forest, there is nothing advanced yet. Their interest does, however, give this Olympiacos pursuit an obvious Premier League angle to watch.