According to the Chronicle, Nottingham Forest have joined Derby County in the race to sign Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff in January.
The Newcastle youngster has barely featured for the Magpies this season.
Manager Steve Bruce rates the player highly, with Longstaff penning a new deal in the summer.
But first-team opportunities have been hard to come by of late.
Now, the Chronicle claim Forest and Derby are among several Championship clubs eyeing a loan deal in January while they wait on Newcastle’s approval.
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Newcastle are seemingly set to assess the situation as the midfielder needs minutes, while as many as seven clubs have been cited as potential suitors.
Both Derby and Forest are struggling in the Championship this season.
Forest went into double figures with new signings during the summer transfer window. However, the upheaval and influx of new players has prompted an unbalanced squad.
The Reds sacked Sabri Lamouchi after four straight defeats at the beginning of the campaign. His successor Chris Hughton has recorded just three wins since his arrival.
Forest have picked up just one point in their last seven games. Hughton’s side may need the January transfer window to sort out their current predicament.
Derby, meanwhile, are five games unbeaten under interim boss Wayne Rooney.
The Rams have made improvements of late. However, the links to Longstaff seem slightly bizarre as central midfield is arguably the least of their worries.
Krystian Bielik, Max Bird, Graeme Shinnie, Jason Knight, Duane Holmes and Louie Sibley provide plenty of competition. Derby instead desperately need a new striker.
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