Nottingham Forest were denied the chance to sign Lazio goalkeeper Luis Maximiano during the January transfer window.
The Reds wanted to sign the Portuguese performer for £8 million but manager Maurizio Sarri pulled the plug, according to Citta Celeste.
Forest were in desperate need of a goalkeeper during the January transfer window. Dean Henderson became injured, with Wayne Hennessey as the only senior stopper.
The Reds had identified Maximiano as a potential option. The 24-year-old has been with Lazio since July when he joined from Granada.
It’s not been a great move for the goalkeeper with him featuring just six times during 2022/23.
As a result, the club were willing to let him leave in January but Sarri had other ideas and wanted him to keep around.
The summer could present another opportunity though and Lazio might let him go during a window when they can sign a replacement.
Maximiano has done well during his rare chances to shine at Lazio. He’s kept four clean sheets from his six appearances, conceding just three times.
Sarri is a bit of a taskmaster. Clearly, the board were never going to risk his wrath and it does make sense why he wanted to keep him.
Lazio are second in the table and fighting for a Champions League place. As a result, losing their backup goalkeeper wouldn’t make much sense.
Forest denied the chance to sign Maximiano
The Serie A club were willing to sell the player for the £8 million that they paid for him in January.
Maximiano is keen to play more football and he was willing to make an early exit from the Rome-based giants.
The summer might be very different. Indeed, if Forest can avoid relegation, the 24-year-old could be a very decent signing for the club.
Maximiano has also played for Sporting Lisbon and has represented his country at youth level.
Sarri may have stopped the goalkeeper from joining the Reds in January but he will remain on the shortlist ahead of the summer window.
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