Nottingham Forest midfielder Ryan Yates is widely regarded as a player with a bright future on the banks of the River Trent.
The academy graduate has served with distinction during loan spells with Notts County and Scunthorpe United and it was anticipated he would go out on loan this season.
Boss Aitor Karanka opted to keep Yates around, however, deciding not to sanction a move away from the club during the summer.
Ahead of the January transfer window speculation is already starting to gather pace.
Interest rife in promising talent
According to The Mirror (Transfer Live blog, 3:10 pm, Thursday, December 6, 2018), League One leaders Portsmouth might be a possible destination for the 21-year-old.
(Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City via Getty Images)
The central midfielder needs to play more football than he is doing right now.
The January transfer window probably can’t come around soon enough for Yates; who has played just 45 minutes of EFL Cup football all season.
A move to Portsmouth looks wise. Kenny Jackett has them playing some superb football and playing for a club where confidence is high would do him the world of good.
Back in the summer, the Nottingham Post reported that Rotherham United were keen, and seemingly that move didn’t sit well with Karanka.
Forest fans adore seeing their own academy players make the step up to play regular first-team football and Yates could do just that.
It seems safe to say at this stage, however, that he needs to go out on loan and get some much-needed games under his belt.
A move to the Championship would have been ideal but right now playing is more important than the division.
If Pompey are keen and they are willing to offer him first-team football, then he could help them to promotion.
If that mission is accomplished then he will do his chances of first-team football at the City Ground no harm at all.