Nottingham Forest are looking to improve across Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad, with one midfielder in particular now giving the Reds the perfect opportunity to make a move.
As the transfer window opened, it was reported that Espírito Santo wanted to improve four positions to boost Forest’s chances of competing both domestically and in Europe.
Improving in the wide areas became a necessity once Newcastle United signed Anthony Elanga, but there’s also hope that depth at full-back and in midfield can be found.
However, one top target for the central area would be more than just squad depth, and he’s just made it very clear that he’s interested in a move in an act that will have those at the City Ground excited.
Nottingham Forest target Douglas Luiz skips Juventus training
Forest’s interest in Douglas Luiz dates back to the January window, but Luiz decided to stay at Juventus to attempt to reinvigorate a move that he’d only made the previous summer.
However, it’s been made clear that Juventus want Luiz to leave with the Premier League his most likely option. The feeling is clearly mutual between the two parties, though, as Luiz has not shown up for pre-season training with the Italian giants.
Fabrizio Romano confirmed Luiz’s absence from Juventus training, with the Turin side set to take “disciplinary measures” against the midfielder.
Given that Luiz has already rejected Leeds United, Forest are looking more and more likely to be the Premier League frontrunners for his signature, in a move that would be a real statement of intent from Evangelos Marinakis.
His potential impact on the Forest squad would, of course, be the main driver of a move, but securing Luiz would also go a long way to relieving the tension in the Reds fanbase about how the transfer window has gone so far.
Signing Douglas Luiz would lift the mood at the City Ground
With Elanga already gone and Morgan Gibbs-White’s potential move to Tottenham still rumbling on in the background, it’s understandable that Forest fans are feeling a bit uneasy about how the transfer window is panning out.
To make matters worse, signing Elanga’s replacement has been a struggle, with Johan Bakayoko picking the Bundesliga and Forest’s battle with Napoli for Dan Ndoye not guaranteed to end happily.
Therefore, a statement signing of Luiz, who has been labelled as ‘world class’ by former teammate John McGinn, would show that Forest aren’t doomed to fail in the market this summer and can still attract and finalise deals for some of European football’s most talented players.
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