Nottingham Forest have signed Atletico Madrid full back Renan Lodi on loan for the season. The Brazilian became their 18th signing of the summer transfer window. But it is unfair to dredge up that same old narrative. Lodi is a quality player and bringing him in is sound business.
That’s exactly the point. Lodi looks like an excellent capture. So why Forest? No disrespect to a historic club who have lifted two European Cups, but it does seem surprising the 24-year-old did not attract bids from more established Premier League teams.
READ MORE:
This is not a case of Atleti loaning him out to attract suitors willing to part with big money either. Lodi’s buy clause is reportedly €30 million. If he does well and Steve Cooper’s side stay up there is an excellent chance he will stay. Full credit is due to the Forest hierarchy for this transfer, as Lodi looks a real coup for a team embarking on their first top flight season since 1998-99.
Lodi is a La Liga title-winner, having made 23 league appearances in Atletico’s 2020-21 championship. He also appeared in all eight of their Champions League games that season. Last season saw him play 42 games across all competitions, a vital part of Diego Simeone’s plans. Lodi’s standout moment last season for English fans was his goal that eliminated Manchester United from the Champions League. Forest have acquired a talent who even at the age of 24, has a vast wealth of experience.
ℹ️
Thank you Renan, we wish you the best of luck in this new professional challenge!
The attack-minded wing back fits Cooper and Forest’s remit for this season. Rather than stack the squad with “battlers” who know the foot of the table like the back of their hand, Forest have tried to add genuine quality. The likes of Jesse Lingard, Dean Henderson and Neco Williams have joined from Manchester United and Liverpool. Wolverhampton Wanderers’ talented Morgan Gibbs-White and Watford attacker Emmanuel Dennis bring guile in the final third. Lodi may seem an odd fit for a newly-promoted club, but Forest are not just any Premier League new boys. Lodi fits in with this group in terms of ability and ambition.
The proof will of course be in the pudding. The Tricky Trees have won one, drawn one and lost two to start the season. A moderate start for a team adjusting to life after the Championship. But Atletico Madrid have not finished outside of the La Liga top three in over a decade. The mentality it takes to play for a team scrapping for every point is very different to that needed at a club who are considered favourites when facing 17 out of the 20 clubs in their division.
That adjustment will be key. But if Lodi can make it, then he could end up being one of the signings of the summer. If Forest stay up with the Brazil international running the show on the flank, that €30 million buy clause will look like a pittance. It’s time to stop talking about how many players Nottingham Forest have signed, and start acknowledging how good some of those signings are.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
