Fabrizio Romano reports on Thursday that Ligue 1 side Marseille are set to complete an £11m deal to sign Renan Lodi, after a year’s loan at Nottingham Forest – ending a potential escape route for Leeds defender Junior Firpo.
Firpo, 26, is expected to leave Leeds this summer. Real Betis have been linked, while Turkish site Fotospor claim bitter rivals Galatasaray have tabled a loan bid for the ex-Barcelona left-back. Marseille have been linked too.
According to La Gazette Du Fennec, Firpo was Marseille’s first-choice option to sign on the left of their defence. A move would have seen Firpo go from relegation in the Premier League, to playing for a Champions League outfit.
However, it seems Marseille have gone in a different direction. That is because Romano has reported that Marseille have made their move to sign Brazil star Lodi – after impressing at Forest. They are paying Atletico Madrid £11m.
Escape route for Leeds defender Firpo ends as Marseille set to sign Lodi
It is an impressive bit of business from Marseille. Lodi was arguably one of Forest’s best players last season, as Steve Cooper guided his side to Premier League safety. It was a coup for Forest to get Lodi in the first place.
So, Forest were always going to struggle to keep Lodi and so it seems. He has opted to try something new in France with a club set for a Champions League campaign. Forest will have to replace him, while Firpo will look elsewhere.
A return to Betis, where Marc Roca is headed, is perhaps is best avenue – but the La Liga club are struggling for funds. It is said they must sell first before striking a deal for Roca. Galatasaray are keen – but it would be criticised.
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