Renan Lodi is keen to secure Champions League football following his successful loan spell with Nottingham Forest.
Overseeing a permanent switch for the Atletico Madrid man would be the ideal scenario for the Reds this summer as they look to address their left-back situation. However, doing a deal appears tricky as a number of clubs have been linked and his agent has indicated Lodi is keen to play on the biggest stage possible.
Benfica, Newcastle United, Corinthians, Santos, Palmeiras, Flamengo and Athletico Paranaense have been credited with an interest. The 25-year-old has been using the latter’s facilities to keep fit during the off-season, having come up through the ranks there before his move to Spain in 2019, but a return to his Brazilian homeland has been ruled out.
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“Renan's goal is to compete at the highest level,” Pablo Miranda told GE, in a translated interview. “Made 32 appearances in the toughest league in the world. Many Brazilian players suffer in their first season in England and end up not playing. Renan was instrumental in Nottingham's stay in the Premier League and has everyone's recognition for what he did during that season. That said, his goal is to continue playing in high-level competitions, if possible, return to the Champions League and compete for titles again.”
Miranda said no official bids have been made for Lodi as yet. He said the defender wants to go back to Athletico Paranaense in the future and has a desire to raise his son in Brazil, but for now he looks set to remain in Europe.
“Renan has three more years on his contract with Atletico Madrid,” he said. “At first he represents himself with the Atletico Madrid group to fulfil his contract.
“Everyone knows how fond Renan is for Athletico and for the city. And every year since he left, there's been this speculation that he's coming back. I want to say that it is practically impossible for him to return to Athletico or Brazilian football.
“Emotion in this case comes second. Renan is building his family, he has a house in Curitiba and everyone already knows that one day he will return to Athletico and live here. But, above all, he is a professional and knows his obligations to Atletico Madrid.
“Atletico Madrid made a big investment in his purchase, which still impacts the club's budget. The accounting rules of the Spanish League are very strict. In this way, the only way for him to leave Atletico is to be sold. And the values to carry out this business are prohibitive for any Brazilian club.”
The article suggests Lodi is likely to be sold this summer. Forest did have an option to buy clause included in his loan deal, but reports from Spain have claimed it needed to be triggered by March for it to count. That didn’t happen, with the Reds likely to want to renegotiate the 30 million euros (£26m) fee.
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