Nottingham Forest seem to be running into some issues in securing a deal to sign Douglas Luiz, but one club insider has offered a possible explanation.
Even after Nuno Espírito Santo personally requested the Luiz signing, Forest are yet to agree a deal for the Brazilian despite many factors being in their favour.
For starters, Juventus want to sell Luiz and have done so for the entirety of the window, and the former Aston Villa man has made it clear that the Premier League is his preferred destination.
The Luiz transfer saga is looking like one that will span the rest of August, though, with Forest’s difficulties in securing the signing perhaps a result of their own success.
Nuno Espírito Santo looks on during Nottingham Forest vs Estoril
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Nottingham Forest’s ‘difficult’ transfer window dilemma
Given his reputation and availability, Luiz’s name has been linked with plenty of clubs, most notably in a deal that could see Juventus offer Luiz to Newcastle United as part of a bid for Sandro Tonali.
Clearly, then, Forest are competing with the Premier League’s best for some of their transfer business this summer and, according to journalist Paul Taylor, this may be what is slowing down the progress.
Speaking on the Shut Up and Show More Football podcast, Taylor said: “Instead of trying to compete with lower-end Premier League teams, Forest are competing with teams like Newcastle and Manchester United. That is a whole different kettle of fish.
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“They will find it difficult to compete with teams who have so much history. As Forest continue to try and build their rise, they have got to find a way to be clever again and compete in something that isn’t a level playing field.”
With Man United also showing interest in Luiz in early July, Taylor could easily be referring to the Brazilian as the key example of Forest’s new crowded marketplace.
However, the Reds have already shown this season that they are able to compete with the best to secure their targets.
Nottingham Forest have beaten top teams to transfer targets
When it comes to being “clever” in the transfer market, it’s hard to look past Forest’s acquisitions of Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha from Botafogo, with both providing excellent options for Nuno at a fraction of the price of a European alternative.
Forest have shown that they can compete with the giants of European football as well, though, evidenced best in Dan Ndoye’s move to the City Ground.
After a strong season with Bologna, Forest honed in on the Swiss star to replace Anthony Elanga in the wide areas, but Napoli had also made a bid for Ndoye.
Current Serie A champions and offering Champions League football, Napoli seemed to be able to offer Ndoye much more than Forest, but the 24-year-old had his heart set on the City Ground throughout.
It’s possible, then, so as long as Forest have alternative options in reserve, the Reds should keep pushing to sign these high-profile options.