Nottingham Forest make bid for “brilliant” £17m defender, response received

Nottingham Forest have stepped up their transfer activity by lodging a bid for a defender described as “brilliant,” as Sean Dyche looks to further reinforce his backline following the arrival of Lorenzo Lucca.

Forest push on with transfer plans after Lucca arrival

With Arnaud Kalimuendo leaving on loan for Eintracht Frankfurt, securing another striker before the February 2 deadline became a priority for Forest. That box has now been ticked after Napoli forward Lorenzo Lucca completed a loan move until the end of the season.

Forest’s lack of options up front was laid bare in their recent 1-0 Europa League defeat to Braga, where Dan Ndoye was forced to lead the line due to both Igor Jesus and Chris Wood being sidelined with injuries. Bringing in Lucca, who found the net 12 times in Serie A last season, was therefore seen as essential.

Having addressed their attacking concerns, Dyche and his recruitment team have now shifted focus to strengthening other areas of the squad, with defensive reinforcements high on the list.

Forest bid rejected for Napoli defender

Earlier this week, reports emerged that Forest had made an approach for Napoli defender Mathías Olivera. A fresh update from Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, now claims the Premier League side have submitted an improved offer for the left-back.

However, the bid has been rejected by Napoli as it fell short of their €20 million (£17 million) valuation. Olivera is considered a key player by head coach Antonio Conte, which helps explain the Italian club’s reluctance to allow him to leave without receiving a significant fee.

Forest remain interested in the Uruguayan and have not abandoned their pursuit, although there is currently no indication they are prepared to meet Napoli’s asking price in the near future.

Why Olivera appeals to Forest

Olivera’s importance to Napoli is reflected in his consistent involvement over the past four seasons, during which he has made 97 league appearances.

His performances have also earned strong praise, with scout Antonio Mango labelling him a “brilliant” left-back and highlighting his tackling ability, positional awareness and quality in possession.

The former Getafe defender offers valuable versatility, being comfortable both at left-back and in central defence. He has also impressed on the international stage, playing a key role in Uruguay’s clean sheet against Mexico in November with several crucial defensive contributions.

With 33 caps to his name, Olivera brings a wealth of experience that could make him a reliable and high-quality addition to Nottingham Forest’s defensive unit, should the club manage to strike a deal with Napoli.