Douglas Luiz is expected to take another significant step towards completing a switch to Nottingham Forest today.
The Reds have had their eye on the Juventus midfielder for some time and are now on the verge of securing his signature. If all goes to plan, he will become the eighth new arrival of the summer at the City Ground.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Luiz is scheduled for a medical later today ahead of putting pen to paper. He will bolster head coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s options in the centre of the pitch as Forest aim to kick on again this season.
Romano said on X: “Douglas Luiz will undergo his medical at Nottingham Forest today. The Brazilian is travelling to England this morning.”
Luiz will reportedly join the Reds on an initial loan deal. The Athletic have reported there is an obligation to buy clause based on the number of games the 27-year-old plays. If the former Aston Villa man doesn’t make the required number of appearances, there is an option for Forest to sign him permanently for a fee in the region of €30 million (£26m).
Luiz has endured something of a frustrating time in Italy since his €50m (£43m) switch from Villa 12 months ago. He started just three Serie A matches last season.
A return to the Premier League is said to have held great appeal for the midfielder. Everton and West Ham United were also credited with an interest in him, but it is the Reds who have won the race to snap him up.
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Forest have already added Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha, Dan Ndoye, Angus Gunn, Omari Hutchinson, James McAtee and Arnaud Kalimuendo to Nuno’s squad this summer. They have less than two weeks remaining to complete their transfer business before the window closes at 7pm on September 1.
The Reds made a winning start to their Premier League campaign last weekend, beating Brentford 3-1 on the banks of the Trent. They are next in action this Sunday, with a trip to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
Strength in depth across the pitch is important for Forest this term as they prepare to compete in Europe for the first time in three decades. With Luiz’s impending arrival, there will be plenty of competition in midfield.
Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson started in the centre of the pitch against the Bees. Nuno also has Ryan Yates and Nicolas Dominguez (when he returns from injury) as options, while playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White is capable of operating in a deeper role and newcomer James McAtee has plenty of creativity to offer.
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