Nottingham Forest Near Loan Deal with Napoli for Lorenzo Lucca
Nottingham Forest is nearing a loan agreement with Napoli for striker Lorenzo Lucca. The move comes as personal terms are reportedly close to being finalized. The loan will include an option to buy, reflecting the €40 million that Napoli invested in Lucca when acquiring him from Udinese.
Lorenzo Lucca: Current Situation
Lorenzo Lucca, 25, has been on loan at Napoli from Udinese since last summer. During this season, he has made 16 appearances in Serie A, contributing just one goal. This limited playing time has spurred Forest’s interest in securing his services.
Forest’s Striker Search
- Nottingham Forest has been actively looking for a striker due to injuries.
- Last season’s top scorer, Chris Wood, is currently unavailable due to a knee injury.
According to reports, Mehdi Taremi from Iran is at the top of Forest’s wish list. They are also considering Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The club currently sits in 17th place, just above the relegation zone, having scored significantly fewer goals than Leeds United, who are in 16th place.
Recent Player Movements
Earlier this month, Nottingham Forest let Arnaud Kalimuendo go on loan to Frankfurt. The 23-year-old, signed for £26 million (approximately $35 million) from Rennes, has made an immediate impact in the Bundesliga with one goal and one assist in just three matches.
Impact of Lucca’s Potential Move
The proposed loan deal for Lucca is unlikely to interfere with Nottingham’s pursuit of Taremi. The team is looking for a striker with attributes similar to those of Wood. Lucca joined Napoli as part of a significant influx of players in a season where the team aims to solidify its chemistry under head coach Antonio Conte.
Napoli’s Season Performance
After 21 matches in the league, Napoli holds a position in third. Despite being a part of the squad, Lucca has only started four games this season, indicating the competition he faces for playing time.
As Nottingham Forest edges closer to finalizing a deal with Napoli, the focus remains on strengthening their attacking options to avoid potential relegation challenges. The upcoming days are critical as the transfer window approaches its end.
