‘Nottingham Forest scouts closely watching Douglas Luiz’
Nottingham Forest scouts have been in Italy amid a growing interest in signing Juventus star Douglas Luiz in the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 26-year-old is on a long list of targets at the City Ground.
Luiz left Aston Villa to join Juventus less than a year ago but is already eyeing a return to the Premier League after a disappointing season in Turin.
The midfielder has appeared in just 15 of their 29 Serie A games so far this season, starting just six times, and is considering his long-term future at the club.
Forest are now prepared to offer him a route back to England as they begin preparations to play European football next season.
Luiz is seen as the ideal midfielder to supplement Nuno Espirito Santo’s style of play as his passing range will help spread play to the wide forwards and kickstart quick counter-attacks.
| Douglas Luiz | |
| Appearances | 22 |
| Starts | 6 |
| Minutes Played | 795 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
Nottingham Forest eye Douglas Luiz move in big-spending plans
Brown told Football Insider on 24 March that Forest want to sign Wolves star Matheus Cunha and could pay a record-breaking fee as they aim to strengthen their squad.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted they want to sign Cunha’s Brazil teammate to strengthen their midfield.
“If I’m honest, Douglas Luiz was never my type of player,” he told Football Insider.
“I think you have to question why Villa were so willing to let him go and why he hasn’t been a regular since he went out to Juventus.
“But he’s a very good passer of the ball, he can go long, go short, keep things moving.
“I have concerns about his work rate out of possession when it comes to making tackles and tracking people down in the midfield.
“But, if you get workers around him and put him in the right team, he could certainly be an asset.
“I’m told Forest have been watching him closely, he’s on their list and they’ve had scouts watching him in Italy.
“Those questions I raised about his game will be answered by their reports and then they’ll decide whether they think he would fit in their side.
“They’ve got a hard-working unit at Forest, but I think they lack a bit of quality on the ball.
“Luiz is a player who could come in there, keep things moving, spread the ball out wide to their wingers who are the main danger men in that side.
“He would be ideal for that role as long as the players around him could cover for what he lacks off the ball.”
Nuno Espirito Santo set for Forest contract talks
On top of potential big-money moves to sign Cunha and Luiz this summer, Forest are also planning to keep Nuno at the club for the long-term future.
Brown told Football Insider on 25 March that Forest want Nuno to sign a new contract and are prepared to do everything they can to agree a deal.
Forest are now closing in on Champions League qualification after a fantastic season so far, while they prepare to face Brighton in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Nuno’s side have build a seven-point gap between themselves and sixth-placed Newcastle and are now putting plans in place to strengthen their squad.
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