As the summer transfer window hurtles toward its dramatic September 1 conclusion, Nottingham Forest are showing zero intention of slowing down their aggressive recruitment drive. Following a marquee summer that saw Oliver Glasner’s side secure club-record acquisition Liam Delap from Chelsea in a blockbuster £50 million deal, the focus at the City Ground has firmly shifted toward defensive reinforcements.
With the Tricky Trees enduring a bumpy start to the new campaign—including a narrow Premier League defeat to Leeds United and a frustrating League Out exit—club hierarchy are moving swiftly to correct imbalances in the squad. Now, attention has zeroed in on Fiorentina dynamic full-back Dodo, with negotiations ramping up as Forest chase a crucial late-window breakthrough.
Opening Bid Rejected as Negotiations Continue for Dodo
Reports emerging from Italy via FirenzeViola and Sport Witness indicate that Nottingham Forest have already submitted an official opening proposal to test Fiorentina’s resolve. The initial bid, valued around €7 million, was promptly knocked back by the Serie A club, who are holding firm on their €10 million valuation for the Brazilian defender.
Despite the initial rejection, talks between the two clubs remain very much active. Forest are reportedly pushing to negotiate a slightly reduced fee, and they hold a strong hand in negotiations. Dodo’s current contract in Florence is ticking down toward an expiration in June 2027, placing La Viola under mounting pressure to cash in now rather than risk losing a prized asset on a free transfer next year.
Crucially, personal terms between the player and the East Midlands outfit have already been agreed. Dodo is reportedly very keen on making the switch to the Premier League, and is simply waiting for the two clubs to finalize an agreement.
Why Dodo Is the Ideal Fit for Oliver Glasner’s System
Under manager Oliver Glasner, Nottingham Forest have heavily utilized a demanding wing-back system that requires relentless energy, positional discipline, and explosive acceleration down the flanks. Current right-sided options—including Ola Aina, 23-year-old Nicolo Savona, and Neco Williams—have battled hard, but Aina’s inability to lock down clean sheets in the opening fixtures has highlighted an area ripe for upgrade.
Dodo’s stylistic profile makes him a hand-in-glove fit for Glasner’s tactical blueprint. Former Shakhtar Donetsk assistant manager Vitor Severino recently heaped immense praise on the 27-year-old’s evolution, highlighting his standout attributes.
“One of his best features is definitely his speed – he’s super fast – but while he used to be a player who made mistakes and allowed opponents to capitalize on them, today he’s more mature,” Severino noted.
“He makes better decisions, he positions himself better today, and he’s a player I really like a lot. I think he has a lot of quality and above all, he’s an incredible person.”
Statistical evidence underscores just how well-rounded the Brazilian has become during his 114 Serie A appearances for Fiorentina. Across 36 league appearances last term, Dodo accumulated 3,139 minutes of action, chalking up 51 created chances, eight big chances created, and averaging 1.3 successful dribbles per 90 minutes. Defensively, his work rate is equally impressive, chipping in with solid metrics in tackles and interceptions to prove he can handle the physical demands of English football.
The Final Countdown to Deadline Day
With Evangelos Marinakis and the Forest recruitment team eager to supply Glasner with the tools necessary to compete on all fronts, securing a high-caliber right-wing-back could prove to be one of the shrewdest pieces of business of the window.
As the clock ticks down toward September 1, all eyes will be on whether Forest can bridge the small financial gap with Fiorentina and bring Dodo to the City Ground.
Do you think Dodo is the missing piece for Oliver Glasner’s backline? Can Forest wrap up a deal before the window slams shut? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
