Nottingham Forest Chase Bid for Former Sheffield Utd Star

Forest Eye Bid For Bundesliga Talent

Nottingham Forest are looking into a possible move for Wolfsburg midfielder Vinicius Souza in the dying days of this winter transfer window, according to SportsBoom.

The Brazilian midfielder only made his way into the Bundesliga back in the summer, but has struggled to make an impact in the German top flight and has managed only 11 starts from 13 overall appearances for Wolfsburg so far.

A return to English football would reportedly interest Souza, who plied his trade for Sheffield United over the last two prior seasons, and Sean Dyche is reportedly looking into names that can bolster a midfield set to be vacated by the departure of Juventus loanee Douglas Luiz, who's City Ground loan is due to be cancelled in order for him to return to Aston Villa in the coming days.

Love Souza - Dyche Targets Midfield Reinforcement

Many who watched Vinicius Souza's two years in a Sheffield United shirt may be interested to learn of his diminishing game-time over in Germany so far this season.

Known for his combative edge and midfield tenacity, the 26-year-old midfielder was a fan-favourite at Bramall Lane over his spell there but his big Bundesliga move hasn't exactly gone to plan. He made clear his wishes to become a regular in the Brazil national team during his time in Sheffield, if that quantifies things for you.

HAHAHAHAAHA NOT SEEN THIS UNTIL NOW. VINI FUCKING SOUZA ⚔️ https://t.co/QEPcgLrsuX

— Jord (@jordsufc_x) November 23, 2024

Nottingham Forest's summer transfer window, in the end, hasn't entirely gone to plan. Igor Jesus has divided opinion but mostly coped well with his transfer, and Jair Cunha is amongst the players who look promising but haven't had much of a chance. However, the likes of Dilane Bakwa and James McAtee have not been particularly impressive, and the likes of Arnaud Kalimuendo and Oleksandr Zinchenko have already left the club with Luiz set to follow them shortly.

They have secured the arrival of lengthy striker Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese over the last week, and are now looking to add more meat into their midfield equation with a potential punt for Souza.

Souza Would Be a Smart Get for Forest

Souza carries a strong physcial presence and covers plenty of ground as a footballer. Add that to his prior experience of Premier League football, and you are likely looking at a brilliant addition to the Forest engine room. He would allow the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi more freedom to roam and create, and provide more options alongside the likes of Ibrahim Sangare and the in-demand Elliot Anderson in deeper midfield.

Luiz didn't hugely blend well with Sean Dyche's rather robust brand of football, hence his downturn in minutes and soon-to-come exit from Nottingham, but at the age of 26 Souza could be a sharper fit for Forest under the Burnley legend's watch.

I’m sure some will find this underwhelming but I’d look at Vini Souza this month. A tall, physical, ball winning DM with some Brazilian flair.

I thought he was great at Sheffield United and after a €15m move to Wolfsburg, he’s struggled for minutes and could go on loan 🇧🇷 #avfc pic.twitter.com/6ax1hUhgqq

— 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 (@TotalVilla_) January 20, 2026

Before heading to Sheffield, where he played for two years after leaving Belgian side Lommel, Souza turned out for Mechelen and La Liga side Espanyol having began his senior career with Flamengo in his homeland.

He made 76 appearances in red and white stripes overall with 36 of them coming in the Premier League. After relegation came in 2024, Souza sought an exit from the club but had to wait a year before he got his wish - a wish made more neccesary after Sheffield United lost the playoff final to Sunderland.