Sorting out the left-back situation will be crucial for Nottingham Forest this summer as they aim to kick on in the Premier League.
Getting Renan Lodi back on a permanent basis would be the ideal solution, after he impressed last season. That will be tricky to do, but the latest reports suggest it is not completely out of the question.
Since the Brazilian’s loan spell came to an end, there has been plenty of talk about what might be next – both for the defender and for Forest. We take a look at what has been said so far.
Lodi’s loan
Once he found his feet in the Premier League, the 25-year-old was a consistent performer for Steve Cooper’s side. He played a key role in helping the Reds retain their top-flight status as he made the left-back spot his own
A regular in the starting XI, the Atletico Madrid loanee made 33 appearances in all competitions. His only goal came in November, against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup.
Reports from Spain have suggested the option to buy clause which was included in Lodi’s loan deal with the Reds needed to be triggered by March for it to count. That didn’t happen, with Forest said to be keen to renegotiate the 30 million euros (£26m) fee.
Price tag and who is interested
Marca have said Atletico have set their base price at 30m euros, a figure which the Reds are “not willing” to pay. Various reports have stated the Spanish side would be willing to allow Lodi to leave, and there seems to be no shortage of suitors.
Newcastle United, Benfica, Corinthians, Santos, Palmeiras, Flamengo and Athletico Paranense have all been linked. Lodi used the latter’s facilities to keep fit during the off-season, having come up through the ranks there before his move to Spain in 2019, but a return to his Brazilian homeland has been ruled out for now.
