Nottingham Forest are closing in on a move for Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca, with a loan deal and option to buy nearing completion. The 25-year-old Italy international was due to fly to England on Thursday to finalise the transfer. Forest manager Sean Dyche has been looking for a forward with Chris Wood sidelined after knee surgery, while the club also weigh other options in the market.
Forest close in on Napoli striker Lucca as Dyche searches for goals
Nottingham Forest are closing in on the signing of Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca. The Premier League side are poised to finalise a loan deal for the Italy international, with an option to buy included. Lucca was set to fly to England on Thursday to complete the move, as Forest look to add attacking options during the transfer window.
Forest manager Sean Dyche has been searching for a new striker, with no timeframe for the return of Chris Wood. Wood, last season’s 20-goal top scorer, has been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery in December. The club’s pursuit of Lucca comes as Dyche looks to bolster his forward line while Wood continues his recovery.
Lucca joined Napoli last July from Udinese in a loan deal that included an obligation to buy. He has scored once in 16 Serie A appearances for Antonio Conte’s side, with just four starts, and has also scored once in the Coppa Italia. Lucca scored 14 goals for Udinese last season but has struggled for game time under Conte after joining the defending champions.
Forest are also interested in Lucca’s Napoli team-mate Mathias Olivera as they assess their left-back options. Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen has also been considered this month, with the Norway international available for £40m. Forest are 17th in the Premier League, five points above the bottom three, and face Braga in Portugal in the Europa League on Thursday.
