Scarpa already has plans for move to Forest
GUSTAVO Scarpa has been doing some homework on Nottingham ahead of his move to the City Ground.
The 28-year-old will join Nottingham Forest as a free agent in January when his contract at Palmeiras comes to an end.
The attacking midfielder was a pivotal part of the Sao Paulo club’s journey to the league title, scoring seven goals and providing 12 assists as well as winning the ESPN Brasil Golden Ball this week, awarded to the league’s best player, which he collected while riding a skateboard.
Speaking to Brazilian outlet Gazeta, he was asked if he had scouted out somewhere to continue skateboarding in England: “An indoor park? I have already found one in Nottingham.
“Now, as for an outdoor park, on the street, it will be a little difficult because of the weather. It rains practically every day. But, we adapt, we dig.
“I’m a guy who looks too much for the things I like to do, that I want to do. But there’s still a Rubik’s cube, drums, a lot of things I can do to occupy myself there.”
Scarpa is currently enjoying his life away from football and savouring his time at home before linking up with Forest.
“I’m trying to make the most of my friends, my wife, but mainly my hobbies – skateboarding, wakeboarding,” he said.
“I’m going to try to make the most of it to relieve myself after a year of hard work.
“Not only skateboarding but the habit of reading also strengthened my mind a lot, helped me to get out of the football bubble I was in. They were essential for me to reinvent myself at Palmeiras and get back on top at the club.”
NOTTINGHAM Forest are reported to have fallen behind one of their Premier League rivals in the race to sign a highly rated teenage defender. Finn Walsh-smith, described as “a towering central defender who is comfortable on the ball”, has attracted interest from the Reds, Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Fulham, as well as National League outfit Chesterfield, after breaking into Gosport’s first team last season.
However, the Cherries have reportedly “stolen a march” in the five-way battle to the sign the starlet, according to The News. They are currently “leading the chase” for the non-league youngster.
The 18-year-old made his senior debut for the Hampshire outfit last season and has quickly impressed. He has made 18 appearances, including 12 starts for the Southern League Premier Division South club.
Walsh-smith has spent the last few weeks training at Bournemouth and has apparently appeared in behind-closed-doors friendlies.