Nottingham Forest attempted to bring Luis Maximiano to the Premier League in January but Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri blocked the goalkeeper’s Serie A departure.
The former Chelsea, Juventus and Napoli coach had little desire to lose his shot-stopper mid-season. Come the summer, however, Sarri will be far more receptive to offers.
That is according to Citta Celeste; the Rome-based publication reporting that a former Portugal U21 international who joined from Granada for £9 million will be allowed to leave after failing to convince his tab-chewing tactician.
Maximiano has only played six minutes of Serie A football all season. His campaign ended as quickly as it began; a red card almost straight from kick off during the opening day clash with Bologna back in August consigning the one-time Sporting Lisbon youngster to months on the substitute’s bench.
Ivan Provedel is now firmly established as Sarri’s number one, Maximiano watching on from the sidelines.
Nottingham Forest like Lazio goalkeeper Luis Maximiano
Nottingham Forest, Citta Celeste add, made a multi-million offer for 24-year-old Maximiano in the winter window. Sarri blocked the move, fearing that an injury or a suspension for Provedel would leave a Champions League-chasing Lazio side short of cover.
Forest eventually snapped up PSG’s former Real Madrid icon Keylor Navas; seeing approaches for Hendrick van Crombrugge and Emil Audero go the same way. This does not necessarily mean that Maximiano has missed the boat, however.
The uncertain future of Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson means Steve Cooper and co may once again be in the market for a new goalkeeper when the summer window rolls around. Sarri will not stand in Maximiano’s way this time, Lazio already in the process of identifying replacements.
Bari’s one-time Leeds United prospect Elia Caprile is reportedly a leading candidate.
“Everything is different here, starting with the language. You want to talk and understand what they ask you but it’s not easy. But it’s an experience and a great challenge. I’m happy to have arrived in Italy,” Maximiano told Tuttomercatoweb recently.
He did, however, open the door to a potential departure from the Stadio Olimpico.
“One thinks about it (leaving),” Maximiano adds. “ut I’m happy to be here. It’s a challenge for me to be here. I’ve grown since I arrived. Sometimes there are difficulties, this is the time to face them.”
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