The Double Raid on Naples: Why Mathías Olivera and Lorenzo Lucca are the Final Pieces of Sean Dyche’s Forest Puzzle
In the fog of a January transfer window, certain patterns emerge that reveal a club’s true identity. For Nottingham Forest, under the uncompromising stewardship of Sean Dyche, that identity is becoming one of sheer physical dominance and tactical pragmatism. As of January 17, 2026, the latest reports from Italy—specifically via transfer insider Alfredo Pedullà—suggest that Forest have launched a double raid on SSC Napoli for two players who embody the “Dyche-way”: left-back Mathías Olivera and towering striker Lorenzo Lucca.
The news isn’t just about squad depth; it’s about a fundamental shift in how Forest intend to secure their Premier League status and push toward the top half of the table.
The Defensive Reinforcement: Mathías Olivera
Forest’s interest in Mathías Olivera is described as “intensified,” with in-depth enquiries already made to the Napoli hierarchy. The 28-year-old Uruguayan is at a career crossroads. Born in 1997, Olivera is in his physical prime but has found himself sidelined in Naples under the current tactical regime.
For Sean Dyche, a left-back is more than just a defender; they are the first line of an aggressive mid-block and a vital source of set-piece delivery. Olivera offers a profile that Forest have lacked since the loan spell of Oleksandr Zinchenko began to falter. Unlike the more technical, inverted style of Zinchenko—who reports suggest may have his loan cut short this month—Olivera is a traditional, high-intensity “engine room” defender.
- Aerial Dominance: Olivera is remarkably strong in the air for a full-back, a non-negotiable trait for any Dyche defender.
- Tactical Discipline: His time in Serie A has sharpened his positioning, making him a “concrete” upgrade for a Forest side that has recently reverted to a narrow 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 defensive shape.
- Uruguayan Grit: Dyche has long admired players from the South American school of “Garra Charrúa”—a mix of tenacity and never-say-die spirit that fits the “basics better” philosophy currently preached at the City Ground.
The Search for the New “Target Man”: Lorenzo Lucca
While Olivera stabilizes the backline, the pursuit of Lorenzo Lucca is what has truly captured the imagination of the Trentside faithful. Lucca, a 2.01m (6’7″) Italian international, is the quintessential “Dyche striker.”
With Chris Wood sidelined with a long-term injury and Igor Jesus often needing a physical foil to play off, Forest’s attack has occasionally lacked a focal point. Lucca provides that in abundance. He isn’t just a tall player; he is a specialist in hold-up play and a genuine menace in the penalty area during dead-ball situations.
However, the deal is far from simple. Pedullà reports that Lucca is weighing his options carefully. The allure of the Premier League is strong, but Lucca is reportedly seeking “continuity and serenity”—something he feels he might find more easily in a return to Pisa in Tuscany, where he first made his name.
”Lucca is considering the move back to Tuscany as a way to find guaranteed continuity for the second half of the season.” — Alfredo Pedullà
Forest’s challenge is to convince Lucca that he won’t just be a backup option, but the centerpiece of a direct attacking system designed specifically to feed him crosses from the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and potentially Mathías Olivera.
The Tactical Fit: How They Change Forest
Under Dyche, Forest have seen a massive uptick in physical output. Statistics show they are running more and sprinting more than they did under previous management. The potential arrival of these two Napoli stars would further solidify this high-energy approach.
| Stat Category | Olivera / Lucca Impact | Tactical Result |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Speed | High | Faster transitions from back to front. |
| Aerial Duels | +15% expected increase | Dominance in both boxes and long-ball retention. |
| Set-Piece Threat | Massive | Forest become the “Set-Piece Juggernaut” of the league. |
The integration of Lucca would allow Morgan Gibbs-White to operate in the “Abdoulaye Doucouré role”—a box-crashing No. 10 who feeds off the second balls won by a towering striker. Meanwhile, Olivera would provide the defensive security on the left to allow the right-sided players more freedom to push forward.
The “Italian Connection” and January Strategy
The fact that Forest are looking almost exclusively at the Italian market this month is no coincidence. Sporting Director Ross Wilson and Dyche seem to have identified Serie A as a league that prepares players well for the tactical rigors of the Premier League. Beyond Olivera and Lucca, the club has also been linked with Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi, suggesting a coordinated effort to build a “Serie A core” at the City Ground.
This strategy is also a protective measure. With Manchester United reportedly circling around star defender Murillo, bringing in established internationals like Olivera helps maintain the squad’s leadership and quality, regardless of potential high-profile exits in the summer.
Final Thoughts: A Window of Intent
As we move toward the deadline, the message from the City Ground is clear: Nottingham Forest are no longer satisfied with just “surviving.” By targeting Mathías Olivera and Lorenzo Lucca, they are looking to build a team that is physically imposing, tactically disciplined, and inherently difficult to play against.
If Forest can land both Napoli men, they won’t just have replaced their injured stars—they will have upgraded the very DNA of the team. The “serenity” Lucca seeks might be hard to find in the chaos of a Premier League relegation scrap, but under Sean Dyche, he could find something even better: the chance to become a cult hero in the Garibaldi red.