Sean Dyche is positive that Nottingham Forest are close to signing a new striker, with Italian Lorenzo Lucca on the transfer wishlist.
Forest’s lack of firepower was evident on Thursday as they drew another blank in their 1-0 Europa League defeat against Braga.
They’ve scored just 21 goals this campaign, which is the second lowest in the Premier League behind rock-bottom Wolves.
Forest had been linked with a move for Swansea’s Zan Vipotnik after he jumped to the top of the Championship goalscoring charts.
Their lack of goals has left them in a precarious position as they sit just five points adrift of West Ham and one of the favourites for Premier League relegation.
Nottingham Forest Close To Signing Lorenzo Lucca
Dyche was quizzed on the possibility of a new striker arriving, to which he replied: “We’re certainly working on it.
“The club know, they’re aware. They can see the situation. So yeah, we’re certainly working on it. We’ll see.”
It appears 25-year-old forward Lucca is the player who could bolster Forest’s ranks in the coming days.
Lucca is one of the tallest strikers in Europe and stands at a towering 6’7”.
He currently plays at Napoli, on loan from Udinese, but has struggled to cement his place in the side, having made just four league starts.
Lucca has scored just once in Serie A this season but fired 12 for Udinese last campaign.
The move to the Premier League side is expected to be a loan until the end of the season with an option to buy for approximately €35million to €40m.
Lucca made his senior debut for the Italian national team in October 2024 and has earned five caps for his country.
His height and physical presence will suit Dyche’s style of play, which includes playing with a focal point in attack.
Unsurprisingly, Lucca’s primary strength is his heading, and since 2023, he has been among the top headed goalscorers in Serie A.
Forest Handed Blow In Dwight McNeil Chase
Forest boss Dyche had been looking to reunite with his former player Dwight McNeil to bolster his squad in a bid to avoid relegation.
The duo worked together at Burnley and Everton, and McNeil finished as the club’s top scorer with seven goals at Goodison Park in the 2022/23 campaign.
However, Jack Grealish’s long-term injury will mean David Moyes is unlikely to sanction his transfer as it leaves them short of options on the left.
Forest’s only hope of signing McNeil will come down to whether Everton pursues their interest in Sevilla winger Ruben Vargas.
