Deal agreed: Nottingham Forest finalising £13m move for Italian defender

Nottingham Forest Close In on Juventus Defender as Nuno Seeks Reinforcements

In a move aimed at easing mounting pressure on Nuno Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest are reportedly on the brink of securing a deal for a Juventus defender ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

Nuno Dismisses Exit Talk Amid Internal Tensions

What once looked like a seamless fit between Nuno and Nottingham Forest—especially after a dream run that led the club to European qualification—has recently taken a sharp turn.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis has brought in a third key figure, Edu Gaspar, to assist with transfer strategy. However, this shift in the decision-making dynamic appears to have disrupted the harmony between the manager and the club’s hierarchy. Reports suggest that disagreements over recruitment have caused noticeable friction, with Nuno publicly voicing his frustrations.

Still, despite the unrest, Nuno has denied any suggestion that he might walk away from the job. Talks between himself, Edu, and Marinakis are reportedly scheduled in a bid to smooth things over.

“We must have those conversations,” Nuno said. “The players need it, the squad needs it, the club needs it—we need it. Everyone wants the best for Forest. This is a unique situation for me, but I don’t believe conflict solves anything. We have to find harmony.”

Whether that harmony can be restored remains to be seen, but one solution may lie in bolstering the squad before the window closes.

Forest Agree Deal for Juventus Talent Nicolo Savona

According to reports from Italy and Fabrizio Romano, Nottingham Forest have now reached an agreement with Juventus to sign 22-year-old defender Nicolo Savona in a deal worth a minimum of €15 million (£13 million). Juventus had reportedly valued the right-back closer to €20 million (£17 million), making this a potentially shrewd piece of business—depending on the final structure and add-ons.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis is said to have personally pushed for the signing, aligning with Nuno’s recent comments that the squad urgently needs defensive reinforcements, particularly at fullback.

Savona is a versatile defender capable of playing across the back line, and he’s not just a depth signing—he brings real promise. Juventus manager Igor Tudor praised him last season, saying:

“He reads the game well and has great speed. He’s got so many qualities. Above all, he’s humble and open to learning. Those values are rare and incredibly valuable today.”

With both internal tensions and injury concerns mounting, the arrival of Savona could be a timely boost for Forest—and possibly a step toward restoring balance at the club.