Portuguese club Benfica have reportedly begun negotiations with Atletico Madrid for Nottingham Forest loanee Renan Lodi.
Forest had an option to buy Lodi for €30million (around £26m) at the end of his loan deal but the deadline for it to be triggered has now passed. Lodi impressed while at the City Ground, becoming a key player for Steve Cooper throughout the season.
With Forest looking to apparently renegotiate a permanent switch at a lower price, Benfica are said to be ahead of the competition. According to Spanish outlet Relevo, negotiations between the Eagles and Atletico have "began in the last few hours."
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Benfica's president apparently sees Lodi as a player with the right profile to strengthen the void left by Alex Grimaldo, who joined Bayer Leverkusen. However, it is said that "nothing is clear" at this stage.
Relevo also adds that the Brazilian would prefer to join a team that can offer Champions League football. Although there is interest from "several" Serie A sides, there has been "no firm offer" from them.
Following the conclusion of the season, Lodi shared an emotional message on social media that read: "Yesterday I was crying due to many reasons. There were many sacrifices during this journey. I choose to change teams, countries, my life...
"I was just looking for more minutes to go to the World Cup, but what I found was a place that welcomed me and made me feel so special. And it was not easy at all. I knew it would be difficult but not as much as it was... I came to a club with huge ambitions and with a crowd looking for their deserved space on this amazing league."
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