Sources: Nottingham Forest make progress on deal to sign one of two defenders

Nottingham Forest are lining up a move for Fiorentina right-back Dodo, sources have told Football Insider.

The East Midlands outfit are also hugely keen on Feyenoord starlet Givairo Read, but will only sign one or the other ahead of next season.

Oliver Glasner's side have already seen their first bid for the Netherlands U21 international rejected, and are now battling interest from Manchester City.

Sources say that Dodo is being lined up as a back-up target, with a move for the Brazilian understood to be far more "straightforward" in comparison.

The 27-year-old is out of contract at Fiorentina in the summer of 2027, and is keen to explore the idea of a new challenge ahead of next season.

Forest have identified the right-back area as a key position for them to strengthen in, and they have narrowed their search down to two targets.

Nottingham Forest to fend off Italian interest in Dodo

Forest faced issues at right-back last season, with Ola Aina enduring an injury-hit campaign, and Nicolo Savona unproven at Premier League level.

The Reds are determined to ensure that they do not face the same issues again in 2026-27, when they are hoping to push back into the top half of the table.

They have identified both Read and Dodo as clear targets, with the former remaining the priority at the moment.

Dodo is understood to be an easier deal for Forest to strike, but they are also competing with interest from the top end of Serie A.

Both Napoli and Roma are also keen admirers of the former Shakhtar Donetsk man, who narrowly avoided relegation with Fiorentina last season.

However, the lure of the Premier League is expected to hold significant appeal for the defender, which could hand Forest an edge in the coming weeks.

James McAtee makes Nottingham Forest transfer decision

Football Insider revealed earlier this week that midfielder James McAtee has no intention of leaving Forest this summer, despite interest from West Ham United.

The 23-year-old got just two Premier League starts in his debut campaign at the City Ground, but is hoping for a far bigger role this time around.

McAtee is keen to stay put and fight for his place at Forest, in the hope that Glasner's arrival could see him force his way into the fold.

West Ham had been keen to take him to the Championship, but it is understood that Forest's price tag would also likely make it difficult for them.