Nottingham Forest are set to sign Italian defender Nicolo Savona from Juventus, who has given his immediate thoughts on the City Ground switch.
Forest agreed a deal with Juventus for Savona to finally solve one of the gaping issues in Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad, one that has been present throughout the transfer window.
Emphasising the importance, Espírito Santo has publicly demanded additions at full-back in his press conferences so far this season, so the Savona news will be of great relief.
Primarily a right-back but with experience across the defence with Juventus, Savona has now given his immediate thoughts on leaving his boyhood club for the City Ground.
Nicolo Savona of Juventus FC looks on during pre-season
Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Nicolo Savona reacts to imminent Nottingham Forest move
Forest had a £9m offer rejected for Savona before eventually agreeing a fee thought to be in excess of £13m for the 22-year-old.
Having come through the youth ranks at Juventus, the switch to the Premier League will be a significant step for Savona, but one he looks to be ready for.
Interviewed at the airport by Luca Bendoni, Savona said: “I am ready and happy. I am also sorry to leave Juventus after so many years. I thank the club, the staff, the teammates and the fans. But I am ready for the Premier League.”
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Last season may have been his first as an established member of the Juventus squad, but Savona did show enough to suggest that he could excel in English football.
Nicolo Savona has the profile to succeed at Nottingham Forest
There’s been a change at the top of the Premier League, with the likes of Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta often preferring a full-back with the physical profile of a central defender.
At six foot four, Savona certainly fits the mould, while also having the ability on the ball to be comfortable at the City Ground.
Statistic Nicolo Savona 24/25
Pass completion % 89.2%
Passes recieved per 90 44.05
Miscontrols per 90 0.58
Dispossessed 0.31
Savona is secure in possession
With Nuno wanting a more possession-based style this season, it’ll be crucial that Savona is capable on the ball, miscontrolling the ball 0.58 times per 90 while being dispossessed just 0.31 times.
It’s not as if Juventus would avoid him in possession, either, with Savona receiving 44.05 passes per game last season. Naturally, he’ll play behind Ola Aina, but Savona looks like he’ll be a more than capable alternative in the Reds’ defence.