According to Jacque Talbot, Nottingham Forest have opened talks to sign Manchester City and Newcastle target Renan Lodi on loan from Atlético Madrid.
What’s the story?
Well, Steve Cooper has already made a number of headline signings, such as deals for Jesse Lingard, Morgan Gibbs-White and Emmanuel Dennis.
However, Lodi would arguably be the best of the lot.
The Brazil international – who has a €60m (£51m) release clause – has been a regular in the Champions League across recent seasons, making 27 appearances in Europe’s greatest club competition.
According to Talbot, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola even held talks to sign him earlier this month, after losing Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal.
Newcastle have also expressed an interest in signing Lodi, as Eddie Howe aims to find competition for Matt Targett.
Talbot adds that Jorge Mendes is involved in negotiations, although he does not officially represent the South American.
So far this season, Lodi has been left on the bench by Diego Simeone for both of Atlético Madrid’s games in La Liga.
That is something of a surprise, seeing as Simeone handed him 42 appearances last season, in which the left-back impressively scored four goals and provided six assists.
Nottingham Forest could upset players with Renan Lodi deal
In our view, Nottingham Forest could alienate Harry Toffolo and Omar Richards by signing Lodi – even on loan.
The pair of left-backs have only just arrived at the City Ground, but if the Brazilian was signed from Atlético Madrid, he would surely expect to start on a weekly basis.
That would see Toffolo and Richards relegated to the bench, something they were surely not promised when agreeing to join Nottingham Forest just a matter of weeks ago.
Only time will tell what happens, but Cooper risks disturbing his squad’s morale if he signs Lodi.
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