nicolo-savona-juventus
Juventus' Nicolo Savona in action with PSV Eindhoven's Luuk de Jong.
Looking to ease Nuno Espirito Santo's recent concerns, Nottingham Forest are now reportedly on the verge of signing a Juventus defender ahead of Monday's deadline.
Nuno laughs off Nottingham Forest doubts
Who could have seen this coming? Nuno and Nottingham Forest seemed a match made in heaven after a fairytale campaign saw them qualify for European football last time out.
Since then, however, things have rapidly changed. Evangelos Marinakis has invited a third man into the partnership in the form of Edu Gaspar, transfers are no longer so agreeable between all parties, and the boss has made his feelings publicly clear.
So, what now? Nuno, for all his complaints, has laughed off the idea that he could resign as Nottingham Forest manager and a meeting is reportedly scheduled between Edu, himself and Marinakis in an attempt to clear the air. Yet, reports have continued to arrive that any damage done to the relationship between the manager and sporting director may be irreparable.
“We are going to have them (talks). We must, we must.
“What I think is we need to have these conversations, and we are going to have them. This is what I think is more important than anything. The players need it, the squad needs it, the club needs it, we need it. And we are going to have it.
“Everybody wants the best for Forest - me first. All the club wants the best for Forest. This is the first time in my career I am facing this situation and being asked these things. It is not helpful, but I believe conflict doesn’t work out. We have to create harmony.”
Whether things are salvageable at this stage is the big question. Nuno does want "harmony", but that may only come courtesy of further arrivals before Monday's transfer deadline.
Nottingham Forest agree Savona deal
Italian media revealed on Thursday morning that Nottingham Forest were readying a bid to sign Juve defender Nicolo Savona, and Fabrizio Romano now reports the Reds have agreed a deal worth at least €15m (£13m).
Marinakis was personally keen to sign the youngster, and given the Italian club reportedly valued their right-back closer to the €20m (£17m) mark, this looks like quite the coup depending on what add-ons are included.
Al Ain's Soufiane Rahimi in action with Juventus' Nicolo Savona
Al Ain's Soufiane Rahimi in action with Juventus' Nicolo Savona
Nuno outlined Forest's need for fullbacks last weekend and Savona would certainly tick that box, capable of playing anywhere across the defence. The 22-year-old wouldn't just be any option, either. He's full of potential and earned plenty of praise from Juventus boss Igor Tudor, who said last season: “He understands what is happening on the pitch, and he has great speed.
"So we’re talking about a player with so many skills. He is a humble guy who listens to advice. These are things that may seem obvious, but they are not at all. He has those values that are getting a bit lost, so they are precious now.”