Forest sign 6ft 7in Napoli striker Lucca on loan

Lorenzo Lucca has an option to buy the player in the summer after being loaned out until the end of the season by Nottingham Forest.

The Italian international signed for Napoli from Udinese only last July as part of a loan agreement with a purchase requirement.

Lucca struggled for game time with the Italian champions despite scoring 14 goals for Udinese last season.

The 25-year-old has made just four starts for Antonio Conte’s side and scored once in the Coppa Italia. He has made just 16 Serie A starts.

Without a date set for Chris Wood’s return from knee surgery in December, Forest boss Sean Dyche has been looking for a new striker.

The 6′ 7in Lucca, who has also spent time with Palermo, Pisa, and a loan spell with Ajax, “adds special qualities to our team,” according to Forest’s global head of football Edu.

He comes with a good combination of experience and scope to continue developing as a player because he has played at the highest level in various countries, said Edu.

“We are all anticipating seeing how much he can make over the course of the season.”

As they evaluate their left-back options, Forest are interested in Mathias Olivera, 28, Lucca’s Napoli team-mate.

Jorgen Strand Larsen, a Norwegian international who plays for Wolves and is valued at £40 million, has also been taken into account this month.