Nottingham Forest has officially shifted its focus to the defense following the successful acquisition of striker Lorenzo Lucca. Sean Dyche’s recruitment team is now actively bidding for Napoli’s Mathias Olivera to address a clear lack of depth that has plagued the squad in recent weeks.
Post-Lucca Priorities
The urgent need for reinforcements was highlighted during Forest’s recent 1-0 Europa League loss to Braga. With Igor Jesus and Chris Wood sidelined by injuries, the team was forced to utilize Dan Ndoye in an unfamiliar leading role. The arrival of Lucca—who netted 12 Serie A goals last term—provides much-needed cover, allowing the club to pivot toward defensive targets before the February 2 deadline.
The Pursuit of Mathias Olivera
According to reports from Italy, Forest has increased their efforts to sign the Uruguayan left-back, though they have hit a significant roadblock:
- Rejected Bid: Forest submitted an improved offer for Olivera, but Napoli has turned it down.
- The Valuation Gap: The Italian giants are holding firm on a €20m (£17m) asking price.
- Conte’s Stance: Antonio Conte views the 28-year-old as a vital component of his squad, making Napoli reluctant to sell unless their financial demands are met in full.
While Forest remains interested, it is currently unclear if they are willing to meet the full £17m valuation in the coming days.
Why Olivera is the Primary Target
Mathias Olivera is regarded as a high-caliber “brilliant” defender who would bring elite experience to the City Ground. Over the last four seasons, he has been a mainstay in Italy, amassing 97 league appearances for the current Serie A champions.
Player Profile & International Form:
- Versatility: Capable of playing both as a traditional left-back and as a central defender.
- Expert Praise: Scout Antonio Mango has lauded his “brilliant” tactical positioning, tackling, and distribution.
- International Pedigree: A seasoned veteran with 33 caps for Uruguay.
His defensive reliability was recently on full display during a standout performance against Mexico in November, where his statistics underscored his two-way efficiency:
Mathias Olivera vs. Mexico (Key Stats)
| Metric | Total (Success Rate) |
| :— | :— |
| Duels Won | 9 (out of 10) |
| Tackles | 4 |
| Clearances | 3 |
| Passing Accuracy | 60/65 (92%) |
If Nottingham Forest can bridge the valuation gap with Napoli, Olivera’s blend of technical passing and physical defensive play could prove to be a transformative addition for the second half of the season.
