Nottingham Forest ‘Leading the Race’ to Sign £26.1m Juventus Star – Report | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest Leading Race for Douglas Luiz in High-Stakes Summer Move

Nottingham Forest appear to be at the front of the queue for Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, with talks expected to progress this week. According to Football Italia, the Bianconeri are prepared to let the Brazilian depart after just one season in Turin, a period that saw him struggle to cement a starting place.

Juventus’ willingness to move Luiz on comes after what has been described as a “disappointing 2024-25 campaign in Serie A”, with the player starting only three league matches. His absence from the first day of pre-season training has added to the growing expectation of a departure.

“Nottingham Forest have the priority in the race to sign Douglas from Juventus this summer, despite there being another option in the Premier League and an interested club in Saudi Arabia.”

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Forest’s Ambitious Transfer Approach

Sources close to the negotiations suggest that Forest are aiming for an initial loan agreement with a view to a permanent deal, potentially triggered by performance-related conditions. The anticipated cost of such a transfer, should it go through, is set to exceed €30m.

While Saudi clubs and another Premier League side have shown interest, Forest’s direct engagement with Luiz’s representative Kia Joorabchian and Juventus officials is a sign of their determination to conclude a deal swiftly. This is not a tentative inquiry but a proactive push to secure a player with proven Premier League experience from his Aston Villa days.

Juventus’ Perspective on Luiz Departure

From the Juventus side, the move would represent a swift end to a chapter that never truly began. Signed with expectations of bringing control and dynamism to their midfield, Luiz found opportunities scarce in Massimiliano Allegri’s setup. Whether his lack of minutes was tactical, form-related or down to off-field matters, his omission from pre-season preparations signals that both parties may benefit from a fresh start.

Strategic Fit for Nottingham Forest

Forest’s pursuit of Douglas Luiz signals a club looking to add technical quality, composure on the ball and top-flight experience to their midfield. Luiz’s ability to operate in deeper roles or more advanced positions makes him an attractive option for a squad seeking versatility. His passing range and set-piece delivery could offer Steve Cooper’s side new dimensions in possession.

With competition for survival in the Premier League growing ever fiercer, securing a midfielder of Luiz’s calibre could be transformative for Forest. The deal’s structure, starting as a loan, would give the club flexibility while still showing ambition in the market.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As a Nottingham Forest fan, this feels like a massive statement of intent. Bringing in someone like Douglas Luiz, who not only has top-tier Premier League experience but also comes from a club like Juventus, would be a huge lift. We are talking about a player who knows the league, can handle the pace and has the sort of technical ability we’ve been crying out for in midfield.

I love the fact that the club are going in hard for him, not waiting for the market to pass us by. It shows we are serious about competing, not just surviving. Even better, the fact that it might start as a loan means we can see how he fits before committing the full €30m-plus. It is smart business and shows real foresight from the recruitment team.

Yes, there will be competition, but hearing that “Nottingham Forest have the priority” gives me confidence. If we pull this off, it could be one of the signings of the summer for us. I can already picture Luiz threading passes through for our forwards at the City Ground. This one has to happen, and if it does, I genuinely believe we will be looking up the table instead of over our shoulders.