Football
Exclusive: Bournemouth and Newcastle Plot Move for Ex-Forest Left-Back Renan Lodi
Bournemouth and Newcastle are interested in signing Brazil left-back Renan Lodi on a free transfer after his release from Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Lodi terminated his contract due to being left out of the squad, sparking a potential legal battle. The Premier League clubs are now competing to secure his signature.
Fluminense FC v Al-Hilal: Quarter Final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025 by Alex Grimm | Getty Images
Bournemouth are considering taking a punt on Brazil international left-back Renan Lodi following his shock release from Saudi Arabia giants Al-Hilal, but Newcastle United are also interested in a potential deal, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The former Nottingham Forest defender has been heavily-linked with a move to Italy with Lazio having expressed an interest in trying to sign him.
But our sources have learnt that the Cherries and Magpies are both weighing up deals to try and entice the experienced defender back to the Premier League.
The full-back joined the Saudi Pro League side in January 2024 and made 56 appearances as the club won the league title, King Cup and two Saudi Super Cups.
However, after 56 appearances the 27-year-old and the club he unilaterally terminated his own three-and-a-half-year contract.
Lodi was angry he had been left out of the Saudi Pro League squad due to the foreign player limit – and has not played a game since September this year when he left the club.
A legal battle between the player and club is expected with just under 18 months remaining on his current deal.
The 19-cap international, who last played for the national side in 2023, has been actively searching for a new club since then, with Lazio having made enquiries about trying to sign him last month.
REINFORCEMENTS
But it has emerged Bournemouth, who are in need of defensive reinforcements following a summer sale of their best defenders, and Newcastle are now battling each other to try and win the race to sign the former Atletico Madrid and Marseille man.
Bournemouth are also reportedly eyeing a January move for Barcelona defender Eric Garcia to further strengthen their backline.
Lodi played 28 games for Forest in the Premier League and knows the demands of the English top-flight.
And he also spent three seasons with Atletico playing 84 games in La Liga against some of the best players in the world.
SportsBoom understands the player would welcome a return to the Premier League, but the only complication is whether the ongoing legal battle with Al-Hilal could hamper his chances of playing any time soon.
"I cannot be deprived of the right to practise my profession,” said Lodi.
“I have decided to assert my rights like any worker who is prevented from doing their job.”
The footballer hopes that "the competent authorities will judge my case as soon as possible" so that he can return to playing.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.