Nottingham Forest look set to be facing a real fight to keep hold of Joe Lolley when the transfer window reopens next week.
According to Team Talk, Bournemouth are thought to be preparing a £10 million bid for Forest’s man of the moment.
The news will naturally worry those of a Forest persuasion, especially given that the Reds have developed a habit of selling their star players in recent times.
Lolley has been in scintillating form so far this season scoring seven goals and claiming seven assists.
He scaled dizzy heights in last month’s 5-5 draw with Aston Villa when he scored a goal of the season contender and set up the other four goals for the Reds.
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Interest was thought to be evident ahead of the transfer window reopening but it now seems as though the Cherries have confirmed a firm desire to sign the 26-year-old.
Forest boss Aitor Karanka will be keen for his squad not to be decimated in January and it is quite clear Lolley is an integral part of his squad.
The in-form Forest man has been at the City Ground just shy of a year having signed from Huddersfield Town.
He has improved vastly this season and it is little surprise that Bournemouth are set to test the Reds’ resolve.
The Seat Pitch Verdict
Lolley has grown as a footballer during his 11-month spell at the City Ground and any departure would represent a massive blow.
If Forest are serious about challenging for promotion this season then they can ill-afford to lose any of their key players, not least Lolley.
You do get the sense that this could be paper talk, however, and it could be a way for his representatives to tempt Forest into handing their star man a new deal at the City Ground.
Every Championship footballer will probably have a price in this day and age and it remains to be seen whether Bournemouth can tempt the Reds into selling their prized asset.
It has to be said that the £10 million being reported is likely to be shy of the figure that Forest would want to recoup if they were to even consider a sale in January.
The hierarchy in place on Trentside are made of sterner stuff these days and any deal that saw Lolley leave would come as a shock.