Nottingham Forest target gives green light to transfer as key decision made
Latest Nottingham Forest transfer news as Nuno Espirito Santo’s Reds target summer window signings
Nottingham Forest target Douglas Luiz has reportedly not shown up for pre-season training at Juventus.
The Reds have long had their eye on the midfielder, who is expected to be on the move this summer. Reports earlier this week suggested global head of football Edu was leading the club’s efforts to sign the 27-year-old.
A number of other clubs have also been credited with an interest in Luiz. And it appears the player is keen to force the issue, with a clear sign he feels his future lies away from Juve.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said on X: “Douglas Luiz did not show up for pre-season training at Juventus today (Thursday). Juventus are set to take disciplinary measures, with Douglas Luiz expected to leave the club this summer.”
It appears Forest could have their work cut out to land the Brazilian, however. According to The Sun, Everton and West Ham United are set to battle it out for his signature.
That claim comes despite reports earlier in the week suggesting the Reds were frontrunners to snap Luiz up. His agent, Kia Joorabchian, was said to be due to fly to England this week to explore the idea of a move back to the Premier League.
Juventus are keen to offload Luiz, despite only acquiring him from Aston Villa last summer. The Italian heavyweights shelled out £42.35 million to secure his services and he penned a five-year deal, but it appears the player’s time at the club will prove to be a short one.
It was a disappointing and injury-hit first season in Turin for Luiz. He was only in the starting line-up for three Serie A matches, with his 16 appearances as a substitute amounting to just 518 minutes on the pitch.
Luiz has reportedly already rejected offers from Fulham and Leeds United. West Ham were said to have proposed a €10m (£8.67m) loan deal with an option to buy for around €30m (£26m), but this was declined as Juventus prefer a mandatory purchase clause over an optional one.
Forest have made two signings so far this summer, bringing in Botafogo duo Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha. They need further additions for Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad, however, as they prepare for the additional games which will come with playing in Europe next season.
The Reds have lost one midfielder so far this season, in Brazilian Danilo. Nuno still has Ibrahim Sangare, Elliot Anderson, Ryan Yates and Nicolas Dominguez as options in the centre of the pitch, although the latter is recovering from injury. Marko Stamenic is also on the club’s books but it remains to be seen whether he will head off on loan again.
