Nottingham Forest are reportedly showing an interest in a summer move for Aston Villa full-back Lucas Digne this summer, but face a stumbling block over any potential move.
Forest are on the lookout for a left-back during the current transfer window, following the return of loanee Renan Lodi to parent club Atletico Madrid. The Reds were keen to make the move permanent this summer, but it seems that the Brazilian is now closing in on a move to Champions League side Olympique Marseille.
It leaves Forest with a space to fill in their squad as Steve Cooper prepares his team for a second season in the Premier League. The Telegraph report that Villa full-back Lucas Digne has been mentioned as a possibility.
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The report says that the two clubs are in contact over a possible move for Brennan Johnson, with Digne’s name coming up due to Forest’s search for a left-back. The search could intensify more this summer, following the news that Harry Toffolo has been charged by the FA over alleged breaches of gambling rules.
It is added that the Reds are showing an interest in Digne but the player’s wages could be a problem in any move. The Frenchman is said to be on around £120,000-a-week, and would have to take a wage cut if he was to join Forest this summer.
A possible way around the wage problem is for the two clubs to negotiate a loan deal, in which Villa pay some of the player’s wages. That is, however, described as not ideal for either club.
