Nottingham Forest were eliminated from the FA Cup on Friday night after Wrexham edged them out on penalties following an entertaining 3–3 draw.

Forest showed real fight to claw their way back into the match, inspired by a standout display from Callum Hudson-Odoi, who netted twice. However, the coming weeks are shaping up to be crucial for the club, with Europa League ambitions still alive and their Premier League survival hanging in the balance.

Sean Dyche is expected to push for reinforcements that better suit his style, and that could result in several departures from the City Ground during the January window.

Douglas Luiz Facing Possible Forest Departure

According to Tuttosport, Juventus are considering recalling Douglas Luiz from his loan spell at Forest, with the Italian club reportedly sensing that the midfielder is not truly part of Dyche’s plans.

The Brazilian has endured an injury-hit spell since arriving and appears unlikely to reach the 20 Premier League appearances required to trigger a permanent transfer. Although Luiz played over an hour against Wrexham on Friday, his chances of becoming a regular starter in the league seem slim.

If Juventus do opt to bring him back this month, Forest may be forced into the market for another midfield option before the window closes.

Forest Must Decide on Luiz’s Future

From Luiz’s perspective, a return to Turin would be understandable. The former Aston Villa man, who made more than 200 appearances for the club, may be growing frustrated with Forest’s current approach under Dyche.

Midfielders can struggle to influence games in a system that often prioritises direct play, with defenders encouraged to launch long balls forward and attackers left to chase scraps. In that context, it’s difficult not to sympathise with Luiz.

While there is hope he can build on a decent showing against Wrexham, all signs suggest a final decision on his future will be made in the coming weeks.

Leeds United fully deserved their share of the points against Manchester United on Sunday.

The two sides played out a draw at Elland Road after Matheus Cunha swiftly responded to Brenden Aaronson’s opener. The equaliser was particularly irritating for Leeds, as a brief lapse in concentration after scoring allowed the Brazilian too much space to strike back with ease.

Daniel Farke cut a frustrated figure on the touchline, but overall he will be pleased with his team’s display, which extended their unbeaten Premier League run to seven matches.

However, any optimism surrounding Leeds’ form was barely reflected in the media coverage. The Whites were given minimal recognition on the latest edition of Match of the Day, continuing a familiar lack of respect.

Leeds Barely Mentioned After Manchester United Draw

The electric atmosphere at Elland Road has been a huge factor in Leeds’ push to avoid an immediate return to the Championship this season.

There is now a clear gap between Leeds and the relegation zone, with the Whites sitting eight points ahead of West Ham. That alone should have been enough to spark widespread praise and excitement around West Yorkshire.

Instead, Match of the Day predictably focused on Manchester United’s shortcomings, before showering praise on Cunha during their post-match analysis from LS11.

The contest itself was largely balanced, yet Leeds were afforded just 30 words of discussion from Shay Given. Even then, his comments were broad rather than specific to the performance or the draw.

“He was under pressure, Daniel Farke, and they trusted him and stuck by him. It’s seven unbeaten, eight points clear of the drop zone, and he’s doing a great job,” Given said.

Leeds United Could Benefit From Premier League Disregard

While many Leeds supporters would welcome more recognition from the wider footballing world, there may be advantages to flying under the radar.

At present, the Whites are among the Premier League’s most in-form sides and are quietly drifting away from relegation danger.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s resurgence is a clear example of how freedom and reduced pressure can boost performances—an approach that appears to be spreading throughout the Leeds squad.

The lack of external hype could be exactly what Farke needs to keep standards high and focus sharp, without the weight of a full-blown relegation narrative hanging over his players.

With the January transfer window now in full swing, FC Barcelona have once again been drawn into a high-profile transfer rumour involving one of their most promising young players.

According to reports from Spanish outlet Fichajes, Premier League side Sunderland are prepared to launch a sensational €80 million bid for midfielder Fermin Lopez, identifying the 22-year-old as a cornerstone of their long-term vision.

The report claims Sunderland see Lopez as the perfect figure to spearhead their drive towards European qualification, admiring his intensity, intelligent late runs into the penalty area, and relentless work ethic.

Currently enjoying an impressive campaign following their return to the Premier League, the Black Cats are said to be willing to build their project around the Spaniard, offering him a central role and consistent playing time — a stark contrast to the intense competition for places at Camp Nou.

From Barcelona’s standpoint, such a proposal would pose a familiar conundrum. An €80 million windfall could significantly ease the club’s financial pressures and open the door for reinforcements in priority positions amid continued economic challenges.
However, sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick are reportedly convinced Lopez still has plenty of room to grow and view him as a key part of both the present setup and the club’s long-term plans.

Doubts over the story are further fuelled by the midfielder’s recent decisions. Last summer, Lopez reportedly turned down strong interest from Chelsea, underlining his loyalty to Barcelona — the club he has supported since childhood.

With the winter window now open and no indication of a change in stance from either the player or his representatives, a sudden reversal appears unlikely.

Although an €80 million offer would test the resolve of most clubs, Barcelona seem determined to continue developing their young core rather than sanctioning a premature sale.

For now, this latest link to Sunderland appears more speculative than substantial, and Barcelona fans can probably remain confident that Fermin Lopez is fully committed to the Blaugrana cause.