Exclusive: Nottingham Forest Look to Ex-Blades Vini Souza Star to Shore Up Midfield

Nottingham Forest will swoop for Vfl Wolfburg’s Vini Souza if Douglas Luiz is allowed to leave the City Ground, SportsBoom can reveal. 

Souza has made 15 appearances in all competitions for Daniel Bauer’s side since moving to Germany, having commanded an undisclosed transfer fee when he left Sheffield United over the summer.

Despite enduring a difficult start to life in the Bundesliga, the midfielder’s fortunes have improved of late although his employers continue to flatter to deceive in league competition. 

And, having publicly declared his desire to become a regular for Brazil during his time at Bramall Lane, Souza would be tempted by the possibility of a return to England if Sean Dyche’s side are able to claw themselves away from the relegation zone.

Dyche is in the market for reinforcements, having inherited a squad struggling for both confidence and results following the quickfire departures of both Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postcoglou. 

On loan from Juventus, Luiz interests Chelsea despite suffering a downturn in form and is among those Dyche would be willing to cull in order to raise funds.

Additionally, Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is also reportedly close to completing a return to Bundesliga side Mainz, as the forward looks set to leave the City Ground.

Premier League Experience Key

Souza’s physical presence and ability to cover ground, combined with his experience of Premier League football, would make him an ideal addition to Forest’s engine room, providing a platform for the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson Odoi to roam whilst also providing cover for the in-demand Elliott Anderson and Ryan Yates. 

Aged 26, he would also be better suited to Dyche’s more robust brand of football which appears to clash with Luiz’s approach.

Before joining The Blades, where he spent two years after leaving Lommel, Souza also represented Mechelen and Espanyol on loan having begun his professional career with Flamengo. 

Thirty-six of his 76 appearances for United came in the top-flight, before he sought a move following their relegation last term. A portion of any sale monies raised by Wolfsburg would be owed to his former employers in South Yorkshire.