26-year-old would finalize decision after Nottingham Forest struggles

Gonzalo Montiel, a defender on loan from Nottingham Forest, is expected to return to parent club Sevilla in January, per Spanish reports.

Towards the end of the transfer window, the Argentina international completed his summer move to the City Ground. Following initial speculation that the 26-year-old would finalize a permanent transfer for €11 million (£9.4 million), the two clubs announced a loan with a buyout option.

If the right-back starts 50 percent of Forest’s games this season, the option for the deal to become permanent would become a requirement, but it appears a permanent move is off the table.

The situation at Forest, where Montiel is having difficulty getting into games, is “unsustainable,” according to Spanish publication Estadio Deportivo, and the player’s loan will be canceled when the January transfer window opens. Although Montiel’s former team, River Plate, is reportedly expressing interest, he is reportedly eager to play in Europe going forward.

The full-back has played in five games since moving to the City Ground, but only three of those have been in the starting lineup. Due to an injury and non-selection, he hasn’t played since October.

Recuperated from an injury sustained during the October international break, the defender started the 3-2 loss to Brighton on the bench. However, he was left out of the matchday roster for Everton’s Saturday afternoon loss.

Montiel’s lack of playing time was reportedly “concerning” Sevilla last month, as the team hoped to receive the €11 million from the deal’s permanent extension. They might now try to take advantage of the January window to make money or hope to send him on a more prosperous  loan for the second half of the season.