Renan Lodi could now snub Nottingham Forest and Benfica to return to Brazil during the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old will be on the lookout for a new club, with Atletico Madrid keen to sell him.
According to AS, the defender is now prepared to turn his back on Europe and make a return to play in Brazil.
The left-back spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan with Forest. He performed exceptionally well and the club were hoping to negotiate a price lower than the £25 million that he’s valued at.
No fewer than five Brazilian clubs are keen to take Lodi this summer. Santos, Palmeiras, Flamengo, Corinthians and Athletico Paranense are all monitoring the situation surrounding Lodi.
The talented player was all geared up for a move to Benfica, reports claimed last weekend. Now, however, he’s set to snub European football – and the Champions League – to head back to Brazil.
MORE FOREST STORIES
This does seem a bit premature but ultimately, Lodi has to do what is best for his family. His partner gave birth to their first child last summer, with the player not bringing them over to England.
Lodi could snub Forest and head back to Brazil
This would be such a waste. Nothing against Brazilian football but Lodi is better equipped to be playing on this content at this stage of his career.
If he went to Benfica, the transition would be seamless; he speaks Portuguese, they play in the Champions League and they compete to win trophies every single season.
Lodi has bags of experience in Europe. After his spell with Forest last season, the player now has games in La Liga and the Premier League under his belt.
It’s quite refreshing to see a player snub the riches of the European game. However, this could be a big loss for Forest who had hoped to see Lodi return to them this summer.