Nottingham Forest are said to have Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca in their sights as they plot attacking reinforcements.
Bolstering head coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s resources up front will be top of the Reds’ to-do list this summer. Adding a forward to the ranks has been on the agenda for the past two transfer windows but without success.
The prospect of playing in Europe next term will only make sourcing extra firepower more of a priority for Forest. They were credited with an interest in Lucca in January and reportedly have the 24-year-old on their radar once again.
According to TuttoSport (via Sport Witness), the Reds are eyeing up Lucca ahead of the summer. They are being tipped to provide “strong competition” for the Italian, who also has AC Milan and Napoli keeping tabs on him.
Described as “the giant from Moncalieri”, the 6ft7in front man has a €25 million (£21m) price tag on his head. Apparently a fan of Milan advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic, it is said Lucca “would not refuse a call” from the Swede but the Serie A giants “will find it difficult” to sign him.
Udinese fought off suitors for Lucca during the January window. Roma boss Claudio Ranieri admitted at the time that the forward was a potential target. “Lucca is a good player. We are monitoring him,” Ranieri said.
Lucca has bagged 10 goals in the league so far this season. Sky Sports Italy report he is also wanted by Inter Milan, although it appears they do have a few other possibilities in mind for strengthening their ranks.
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As it stands, it will be up to top scorer Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi to carry Forest through until May. The former has been in fine form and put pen to paper on a new deal in January to keep him tied to the City Ground until 2027.
The going has been a bit tougher for Awoniyi. Missing a chunk of pre-season set the Nigerian back and he has struggled for minutes since.
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