Nottingham Forest’s Potential Acquisition of Douglas Luiz
Nottingham Forest’s management is deliberating a potential acquisition of Douglas Luiz, a midfielder currently with Juventus, which may mark a new club record in transfer fees. However, as of now, no official offer has been submitted. Discussions are ongoing within the club to assess the feasibility of signing the Brazilian international, with the team’s recently appointed head of football, Edu, eager to explore the prospects of this deal.
Strategic Advantages and Other Options
Edu’s existing rapport with the player’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, could provide Nottingham Forest with a strategic advantage if they decide to advance negotiations. Nonetheless, the club is also considering other options and plans to hold further talks before making any decisive moves.
Head Coach’s Vision for Squad Strengthening
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is keen on strengthening his squad, particularly in the midfield, as well as hoping to recruit additional players in other positions, including a full-back, winger, and forward. Santo has expressed a desire to reconnect with Adama Traore, the Fulham winger with whom he previously collaborated at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Background on Douglas Luiz
Nottingham Forest had briefly contemplated signing Luiz last summer before opting for a deal with Elliot Anderson from Newcastle United, since Luiz ended up moving to Juventus from Aston Villa. His debut season in Italy was quite limited, with only three league starts to his name, and his participation in Juventus’ Club World Cup campaign consisted of just one substitute appearance over four matches.
Recent reports surfaced indicating that Luiz might face sanctions from Juventus for not attending the first day of pre-season training. Last summer, Villa’s decision to sell Luiz was significant as they needed to ensure compliance with Premier League profitability and sustainability regulations, requiring a substantial financial return from first-team players.
In January, Manchester City was linked with a loan arrangement for Luiz as they sought to fill the gap left by Rodri‘s injury, but the deal ultimately did not take place, with Juventus preferring either a permanent transfer or a loan with a buy-option.
Career Overview
Luiz began his career with Vasco da Gama in Brazil before moving to Manchester City in 2017, where he was loaned to Girona, part of the City Football Group. Aston Villa acquired him after they returned to the Premier League in 2019, during which time he made 204 appearances and played a crucial role in their impressive fourth-place finish in the previous season. Additionally, he has represented Brazil on the international stage since his debut in November 2019, recently participating in the Copa America.
Current Transfer Activity
So far in the current summer transfer window, Nottingham Forest has secured three players, including Dan Ndoye from Bologna, along with Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha from Botafogo. The club is also nearing a deal for Angus Gunn, a goalkeeper previously with Norwich City, while they still seek a central midfielder following the departures of Danilo and Lewis O’Brien to Botafogo and Wrexham, respectively.
