Report: Nottingham Forest Have £10m Defender Offer Turned Down | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest Eye Juventus Defender Nicolò Savona

Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of defensive reinforcements has turned towards Italy, with Juventus’ Nicolò Savona firmly on their radar. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Forest have tabled an initial bid of €11 million, but Juventus swiftly rebuffed it, making clear that their asking price is €18 million.

Juventus Stand Firm on Valuation

As Di Marzio reported: “The English club offered €11 million for Nicolò Savona. Juventus declined, demanding €18 million to release the 2003-born player.” Forest’s intent is obvious, yet the gap in valuation highlights the challenge of securing Savona. Juventus are renowned for being tough negotiators, especially with their younger prospects, and the Italian side will be reluctant to let go of a defender who still has significant development ahead of him.

Photo: IMAGO

Injury Concerns Over Savona

There is also the issue of fitness. Savona remains sidelined after sustaining an ankle injury against Manchester City in the Club World Cup group stage. “Savona is still struggling with an ankle injury sustained in the match against Manchester City on the final day of the Club World Cup group stage,” noted the original report. This complicates any deal for Forest, who must weigh the risks of signing a player currently recovering.

Potential Fit at Forest

Despite the injury cloud, Savona could represent an intriguing long-term investment. At 22 years old, he fits the profile of a defender who could adapt to the Premier League’s physicality while bringing Serie A discipline to Forest’s backline. The negotiations are now centred on bridging the financial gap before discussions with the player himself begin.

Di Marzio summed up the situation by stating: “The club is working to reach an agreement on the figures before negotiating with the player.” That means any breakthrough will depend heavily on whether Forest decide Savona’s future value outweighs the current cost.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Forest fan’s perspective, this report is bound to divide opinion. On one hand, the pursuit of a highly rated Juventus defender signals ambition. Signing players of Savona’s calibre could elevate the squad, particularly as defensive reinforcements are badly needed in a league as unforgiving as the Premier League.

However, the concerns are obvious. Paying close to €18 million for an injured player is a gamble, particularly for a club like Forest who must balance ambition with financial realism. Fans will question whether this money could be better spent on a fit, Premier League-proven option rather than a Serie A youngster with limited first-team exposure at Juventus.

Some supporters may also see this as a smart play: securing Savona now, while Juventus are still open to negotiation, could pay off if he develops into a reliable centre-back. Others, though, will highlight Forest’s pressing need for immediate impact rather than potential down the line.

In truth, the deal feels finely balanced. Forest fans will be watching closely, torn between excitement at the idea of recruiting from a European giant and nervousness at the price tag attached to a player who is not yet the finished article.