Juventus has revived their interest in Renan Lodi with his future at Nottingham Forest not clear. The defender has now completed a season-long loan at the City Ground and he will return to Atletico Madrid for talks over his future.
The 25-year-old would be welcomed with open arms back at the City Ground. Tuttosport now believes that Juventus are in the mood to rekindle their previous interest in Lodi this summer.
Forest added Lodi to their ranks in August. He signed after the campaign had got underway and quickly established himself as the first-choice option at left-back.
The Brazilian player was a bit of a slow burner at the City Ground. He started quite slowly but after the break for the World Cup, he showcased exactly what he was capable of.
It was thought that Lodi had a clause in his loan that allowed Forest to sign him for £25 million. In recent weeks, however, it’s been reported that it’s not quite as clean-cut as that.
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Forest would dearly love to sign Lodi but they will try and negotiate another price. There is also an element that the defender may look elsewhere given that the player didn’t bring his family with him to England.
Diego Simeone is a big fan of Lodi too. Although he loaned him out, he called him ‘very dangerous’ in 2022 after he scored during a win over Celta Vigo.
Juventus have revived interest in Lodi and Forest must act
It would be very risky for Forest to go into next season with Omar Richards and Harry Toffolo as their left-back options. The two players are decent enough but it’s fair to say that neither of them are in the same bracket as Lodi.
Atletico are unlikely to stand in the player’s way of a departure. Lodi applauded the Forest fans at Crystal Palace on Saturday and his emotional Instagram post did sound like a goodbye.
Even at £25 million, Lodi wouldn’t be deemed expensive. Forest would also be getting themselves a player who quite simply understands the Premier League and the club.
Juventus will quite clearly have significant clout in attracting players. The Reds, however, will fancy their chances too and it will be intriguing to see where Lodi ends up.