Nottingham Forest Loanee Totally Open to Joining Lazio in Swap Deal Involving Mario Gila

FolioPitch.com – 26 June 2026 | The transfer window is heating up as the Nottingham Forest loanee totally open to joining Lazio emerges as a key figure in a complex negotiation between the Roman club and Napoli. Lorenzo Lucca, the 25-year-old striker currently on loan at Nottingham Forest from Napoli, has reportedly given his full approval to a move to Lazio as part of a swap deal involving Spanish defender Mario Gila. The news, first reported by Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, underscores Lazio’s intent to bolster their attack while leveraging assets to secure a top defensive target.

The Nottingham Forest loanee totally open to joining Lazio has been a subject of intense speculation since Napoli identified Gila as their primary summer target. The Partenopei, however, are unwilling to meet Lazio president Claudio Lotito’s €30 million valuation for the defender. Instead, they have proposed a package worth €20 million plus the loan of Lucca to Lazio, with an option to buy next summer. This creative structure suits both clubs: Lazio acquires a striker they desperately need, while Napoli reduces the upfront cost for Gila.

Lorenzo Lucca’s career trajectory has been a rollercoaster. The Italy international joined Napoli from Udinese last summer for €35 million, but found himself behind Rasmus Hojlund in Antonio Conte’s pecking order. A January loan move to Nottingham Forest was meant to reignite his form, but the striker managed just one goal in nine appearances in the Premier League. Despite this dip, his talent remains undeniable, and Lazio view him as a potential solution to their centre-forward woes. Manager Gennaro Gattuso is reportedly desperate for a new No. 9, making the Nottingham Forest loanee totally open to joining Lazio an ideal candidate.

The potential arrival of Lucca could have ripple effects across Lazio’s squad. According to Pedulla, the move might prompt the departure of Petar Ratkov, who joined from RB Salzburg in January for €13 million but has struggled to adapt. The Serbian striker has yet to find his footing at Formello, and his future—whether sale or loan—will depend on incoming offers. Interestingly, the Nottingham Forest loanee totally open to joining Lazio is also attracting interest from Genoa, but the player’s preference is to work under Gattuso, a coach known for developing strikers.

This swap deal highlights the intricate dance of modern football transfers, where player valuations, loan options, and swap components are increasingly common. For Lazio, securing a player of Lucca’s pedigree without paying a premium fee is attractive, especially given Gattuso’s faith in the striker. For Napoli, landing Gila—a defender they have tracked for months—is crucial to strengthening their backline. The Nottingham Forest loanee totally open to joining Lazio thus becomes the pivot on which this transaction turns.

In conclusion, the saga surrounding Lorenzo Lucca is far from over, but his openness to join Lazio brings clarity to a complex negotiation. If the deal goes through, Lazio could finally have the physical, mobile centre-forward Gattuso craves, while Napoli addresses a defensive need. For the player himself, a move to Lazio represents a chance to reboot his career after a frustrating spell in England. All eyes will be on Formello in the coming weeks as this transfer story unfolds.