EXCLUSIVE: Forest made approach for Renan Lodi

Jacque Talbot

7 Jul 2023 12:00 BST
4 min read

Nottingham Forest have made an approach for Renan Lodi and talks are ongoing.

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The defender left the club after a loan spell, being one of the star players for Steve Cooper’s side last campaign. Now we are told that the club have made an approach for the Brazilian in recent days. It is not clear whether a deal can be wrapped up, with Lodi having the ambition to play Champions League football next season, but the Premier League side are now firmly at the table, though there is no indication yet whether a firm offer will be made by them.

But sources do tell us that Lodi, who is set to go away with Atletico Madrid for their pre-season tour of America for at least the start, is very open to a return to Forest on a permeant basis, but it has to be the right deal.

Atletico want €20million for the player - sources in Spain tell us that Diego Simeone’s side are hoping to recoup a little less than the €24m they paid Athletico Paranaense four years ago.

As we revealed, Forest waited for the €25m option-to-buy clause to pass as the Premier League side felt that they could agree on a cheaper deal. It is even thought that the eventual fee could even be around the €15m mark.

So far only Forest are in talks with the LaLiga side over a possible permanent move for Lodi, who has been weighing up his options after leaving the club last season. Discussions are underway but Forest are yet to make a proposal for the player who joined them on loan last year.

Exc: Forest - told Renan Lodi’s future at club continues to largely depend on their Premier League status next season - but the side still may negotiate a fee down of what was agreed for the option-to-buy - €30m
— Jacque Talbot (@jac_talbot) March 21, 2023

Lodi awaits firm proposals

Lodi has hopes of eventually making the Brazil national squad and to do this, the 25-year-old is after game time next season while featuring in Europe’s biggest competition could help matters as well. The player has an emotional connection to Forest and appeared to cry after the club confirmed survival and he bid farewell.

It was taken as a final goodbye but, indeed, Forest are keen on bringing him back to the City Ground ahead of next season.

It’s important to note that other clubs may come and try and steal a march on the negotiations -Lodi has rich experience at the elite level and the amount Atleico are asking for is far lower than FootballtTransfers’ Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of him - €26.3m.