Nottingham Forest are trying to do some business to get new players in before the transfer window closes.
Lorenzo Lucca has been linked with Forest, with a striker on the order of the day before the transfer window slams shut in the coming weeks.
Strikers aren’t the only players that the Reds are keen to sign, however, with centre-back Jayden Oosterwolde also linked with Forest in recent days.
With Oleksandr Zinchenko heading to Ajax after Forest chose to terminate his loan deal, a new left-back is required to act as a backup for Neco Williams.
In that sense, things might be ramping up, with one player taking action to try and force a move to Forest.
Matias Olivera hands in transfer request at Napoli
The Uruguayan performer seemingly fancies a move to the Premier League, and his desires are proving so strong that he’s now handed in a transfer request, according to Calciomercato.
Olivera is valued at £25 million by Napoli, and according to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, the Serie A champions won’t budge on that valuation.
With a striker the priority for Forest, it could mean that Olivera is left in limbo as the window progresses, with the Reds keen to get that particular area sorted out first.
Olivera feels like a safe pair of hands at left-back, having won three trophies for Napoli, making 119 appearances in total, scoring three goals and registering eight assists.
Olivera’s former teammate, Marco Rui, called Olivera a ‘class act’ when he played alongside him, and it does feel as though a player with 33 caps for Uruguay could be an ideal addition to the squad.
Forest desperately need a striker
Olivera would be a useful addition to the ranks, but with Williams in fine form and Ola Aina capable of playing at left-back, the area doesn’t feel like a priority to strengthen.
A striker has to be sought in the short term, with Igor Jesus set to miss the game in Braga tonight as Forest look to guarantee a place in the knockout spots of the Europa League.
It feels as though Olivera will be a significant upgrade on Zinchenko and it’s quite refreshing that the player is very keen to come to Forest this month.
Hopefully, Forest can get both Olivera and a striker over the line, but if the budget only allows for one or the other, then a new talisman has to be the priority deal on this occasion.
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