Nottingham Forest caused quite a stir with their transfer business in the summer of 2022, with over 20 players drafted into a squad at the City Ground that was readying itself for a first taste of life in the Premier League for 23 years.
The Reds had little choice but to go big, with gaping holes left in their ranks by the departures of several loan stars and a number of experienced heads who decided that the time was right to go and try their luck elsewhere.
Quality
Agreement with @NFFC over the loan of Renan Lodi.
Thank you Renan, we wish you the best of luck in this new professional challenge! pic.twitter.com/yBAUpYTE5b
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) August 29, 2022
With so many leaks to plug, Forest scoured the globe looking for suitable reinforcements. It was always going to be difficult for them to gel after welcoming so many new arrivals through the doors, with Paddy Power football among those to make them early favourites for the drop.
Progress has been made since then, but relegation odds still have Steve Cooper’s side sat at evens to take an immediate tumble back into the second tier of English football. There is enough time and quality available to them to ensure that a hasty return to the Championship can be avoided.
One of those playing a leading role in a quest to steer clear of trouble is Renan Lodi, with the Brazil international left-back having moved to Nottingham from Atletico Madrid on an initial season-long loan agreement.
He may have been overlooked for 2022 World Cup duty, but was recalled by his country for the March internationals after seeing regular games in England. Things have not been easy for Lodi, as part of a defensive unit that has been far from watertight at times, but he has fared admirably in a completely new division that sits well outside of his comfort zone.
As a La Liga title winner with Champions League experience to his name, his ability to face any challenge head on probably should not come as the greatest surprise. Serious questions are, however, being asked about his long-term future.
Forest have a purchase option that can be triggered if they stay up, while a return to his roots in South America has also been speculated on. Lodi’s agent, Pablo Miranda, has said of claims he has already held talks with Athletico Paranaense president Mario Celso Petraglia: “I haven’t spoken to Petraglia about Lodi since 2019. The last conversation I had with him was about (Marcelo) Cirino’s return. Lodi renewed his contract with Atletico and today he’s at Forest until June. There is no chance of him leaving, and we respect the signed contracts.”
Important
RENAN LODIIIIIII!!!!! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/u3hm5lKttG
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) November 9, 2022
There has also been speculation in England that Lodi is attracting admiring glances from Newcastle and Everton. The Toffees, like Forest, would need to preserve their Premier League status in order to stand any chance of doing a deal, but the Magpies from St James’ Park are soaring toward Europe.
Swapping Trentside for Tyneside or Merseyside may appeal to Lodi, as he is now well-versed in the demands of life in England’s top flight. There may even be a clean slate to be found at Civitas Metropolitano, with there several big questions in need of answers as the hard-working defender approaches an important career crossroads.
