Pereira contract talks paused

Vitor Pereira’s contract talks with Nottingham Forest have been put on hold.

Both parties remain committed to the future and there is the intention of re-starting discussions next season.

Pereira has one-year left on his current City Ground contract and would prefer to stay, despite interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

He did not engage with Al-Hilal and Pereira wants to stay in the Premier League with Forest.

A deal had been progressing and Forest remain interested in renewing Pereira’s contract. The 57-year-oldis keen on an agreement after he guided them to Premier League safety.

But it has been decided now is not the right time to continue talks although, the risks in pausing any talks are recognised should Forest have a poor start to next season.

Pereira replaced Sean Dyche in February to become Forest’s fourth manager of the season and kept them in the Premier League, finishing 16th and five points above the bottom three.

They reached the Europa League semi finals – making the last four in a European competition for the first time since 1982 – but lost to eventual winners Aston Villa,

Pereira won eight of his 20 games in charge, losing just six.

He was sacked by Wolves last November after 11 months at Molineux and has previously managed Olympiakos, where he worked with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.