Nottingham Forest have accomplished the signing of Napoli ahead Lorenzo Lucca on a mortgage deal working till the tip of the season, with the settlement additionally containing an choice to make the transfer everlasting in the summertime.
Lucca solely arrived at Napoli final July after becoming a member of from Udinese on a mortgage association that included an obligation to purchase, however his alternatives have been restricted underneath Antonio Conte. Regardless of scoring 14 objectives for Udinese final season, the Italy worldwide has struggled to determine himself with the reigning Serie A champions.
The 25-year-old has discovered the web as soon as in 16 league appearances this marketing campaign, beginning solely 4 of these matches, and has additionally scored within the Coppa Italia.
Forest head coach Sean Dyche has been eager so as to add a striker to his squad, notably with uncertainty surrounding the return of Chris Wooden, who underwent knee surgical procedure in December after ending final season because the membership’s high scorer with 20 objectives.
Forest’s world head of soccer Edu believes Lucca’s bodily profile and expertise can add a brand new dimension to the squad. Standing at 6ft 7in, the striker has beforehand performed for Palermo and Pisa, in addition to spending time on mortgage at Ajax.
“Having performed on the high stage in several nations, he brings particular qualities to our workforce,” Edu mentioned. “He arrives with a robust mixture of expertise and potential, and we’re excited to see the affect he could make for the rest of the season.”
Forest are additionally exploring additional defensive reinforcements and have proven curiosity in Napoli left-back Mathias Olivera as they evaluation their choices in that place. Wolves ahead Jorgen Strand Larsen has additionally been monitored in the course of the window, with the Norway worldwide understood to be out there for round £40m.
At present sitting seventeenth within the Premier League, Forest are 5 factors away from the relegation zone as they appear to strengthen forward of the run-in.
