Atalanta closing in on Nottingham Forest defender Nicolo Savona as talks continue

Atalanta's pursuit of Nicolo Savona appears to be gathering momentum, with reports in Italy suggesting negotiations with Nottingham Forest are progressing towards a potential summer agreement.

The Serie A side have identified the Italian defender as a leading candidate to strengthen their wing-back options, particularly as uncertainty continues to surround several members of their current squad.

According to Il Giorno, discussions between Atalanta and Nottingham Forest are "continuing quietly", with growing belief that a deal could eventually be completed for between €14 million and €15 million.

Savona's emergence as a priority target is closely linked to Atalanta's expected outgoing business.

Marco Palestra is edging closer to a move to Inter Milan, while Raoul Bellanova continues to attract interest from both Roma and Fulham.

Those potential departures have increased the urgency for Atalanta to secure reinforcements before the new campaign begins.

The report suggests new sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli is playing a key role in the pursuit. Having worked closely with Savona during their time together at Juventus, Giuntoli is well acquainted with the defender's qualities and sees him as an ideal fit for Atalanta's system.

That familiarity could prove important as negotiations advance.

Savona's first season at Nottingham Forest offered glimpses of his potential but was ultimately disrupted by fitness issues.

The defender made an encouraging start to life in England and enjoyed memorable moments early in the campaign, including goals against both Manchester United and Liverpool.

However, injuries soon interrupted his progress.

Recurring knee problems limited his availability and contributed to a decline in playing time as the season progressed. Following Vítor Pereira's arrival, Savona also found it increasingly difficult to establish himself as a regular starter.

Having followed Forest's squad evolution under Pereira, competition for places became increasingly intense during the second half of the season, leaving several players fighting for opportunities.

That context may help explain why a transfer is now being considered.

One of the more notable aspects of the story is Giuntoli's involvement.

The experienced executive has only recently arrived at Atalanta but is already helping shape transfer strategy. His previous knowledge of Savona appears to have accelerated interest and provided additional confidence regarding the player's suitability.

However, it remains too early to consider a transfer inevitable. Negotiations are ongoing, and Forest still hold the final decision on whether the proposed valuation accurately reflects the player's long-term potential.

Atalanta are likely to continue discussions while simultaneously progressing other areas of their summer business, particularly regarding outgoing players. Should Palestra complete his move to Inter Milan, pressure to finalise a replacement could increase significantly.

For Nottingham Forest, the coming weeks will determine whether Savona remains part of Pereira's plans or becomes a saleable asset. If negotiations continue positively, this could become one of the more straightforward deals involving a Premier League club and Serie A side during the current window.

Would selling Nicolo Savona for €15 million be good business for Nottingham Forest, or should the club give him another season to prove himself?