One thing’s for certain: Nottingham Forest certainly haven’t rested on their laurels this summer, having completed eight first-team signings after qualifying for Europe under Nuno Espirito Santo’s wing last season.
In spite of recent tensions threatening a schism at the City Ground, Nuno has built up a squad of immense quality, capable of challenging domestically and abroad. Many acquisitions have been made over the past few months in the quest for solidification on a higher rung of the European ladder.
Well, Forest may yet welcome another player to their backline, with competition sought for Ola Aina on the right side of the rearguard.
Forest's late search for a right-back
On Tuesday, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that Nottingham Forest officials had compiled a four-man shortlist as a right-back is sought.
Top of that list: RB Leipzig’s Lutsharel Geertruida. However, at this late stage of the window, it’s crucial not to place all of your eggs in one basket, for a deal for the Dutchman might easily fall through.
As per journalist Fabrizio Romano, Forest have now agreed a deal for Juventus defender Nicolo Savona, with the move set to be completed for a fee in excess of €15m (£13m).
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A medical is now scheduled to take place.
Why Forest want Nicolo Savona
Savona still features on the periphery at Juventus, having featured 40 times in total for the senior squad, and many further times for the development team.
But he’s shown a lot of promise over the past year, entrusted with a fixed role in the matchday squad, with talent scout Jacek Kulig drawing attention to his “interesting” profile, competent across central and wide defensive roles.
While Geertruida, 25, might have a bit more refinement about his game at the moment, there’s little question that he’s not leaps and bounds ahead of his Italian peer, who would be much cheaper and with room for growth besides.
Matches (starts)
28 (19)
24 (17)
Goals
2
1
Assists
1
0
Clean sheets
2
6
Touches*
45.0
54.3
Pass completion
91%
88%
Key passes*
0.6
0.5
Ball recoveries*
2.6
3.5
Dribbles*
0.2
0.3
Tackles + interceptions*
1.4
2.7
Clearances*
1.1
2.4
Duels (won)*
1.9 (50%)
2.5 (55%)
Errors made
0x
5x
Damning is the regularity of mistakes made by Geertruida in the Bundesliga. The Netherlands star has a range of exciting qualities, but this is concerning stuff.
Conversely, Savona made his way through the 2024/25 season without making a single error for Juventus, having featured nominally. He looks like he is blooming into a real star, perhaps in a similar fashion to the superstar that is Murillo.
Murillo, 23, is one of the most exciting defenders in the business, having played an instrumental role in Nottingham Forest’s success over the past couple of years.
Hailed as “one of the best defenders in the Premier League” by certain experts on Brazilian football, the South American star joined Forest from Brazilian club Corinthians in 2023 for a £15m fee, since featuring 77 times for his English outfit as they have gone from strength to strength in the Premier League.
Like Savona, his quality was clear from the off, having actually only played 27 senior matches in his homeland after breaking free from the constraints of academy football.
And now, Forest are reaping the rewards.
With Savona, they could hit the jackpot once again, landing an inexperienced, but top talent for a shrewd figure and growing them, organically, into a player fit for purpose at the top of the European game.