Opinion: Nottingham Forest must do everything to keep Joe Lolley

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Aston Villa are said to be keen to bring Nottingham Forest winger Joe Lolley to Villa Park this summer.

There’s no doubt that the flying winger has established himself as one of the best players at the City Ground since joining 18 months ago. Having only signed for £500,000 from Huddersfield, he’s proved to be a cracking signing.

According to the Daily Mail, the Villans were planning a £10 million bid for the winger this summer. However, more recent reports in The Sun on Sunday (02/06), have revealed that the Reds want at least £15 million for his services.

If it wasn’t for the winger’s contribution last season, the Reds would’ve been nowhere near the play-offs. He found the back of the net 11 times and also contributed 11 assists in the Championship.

At one stage, the combination of Lolley, João Carvalho and Lewis Grabban looked almost unplayable under the management of Aitor Karanka. The Reds looked strong contenders for promotion.

Irreplaceable

If the Reds were to lose the 26-year-old this summer, Martin O’Neill would find it incredibly difficult to find a replacement.

It might not even be possible.

The Reds have been linked with numerous wingers already. The likes of Jamal Lowe, Callum O’Dowda and Kamil Grosicki have all been mentioned.

However, the Reds need to ensure that they are adding quality players to complement Lolley, not replace him. They’ve made the mistake of selling their best players too many times before.

If Evangelos Marinakis wants the Reds challenging for promotion next season, he has to make keeping Lolley one of his priorities. Unless Villa come in with a huge bid which is impossible to turn down, the Reds should show their resolve.

The frustrating trend of seeing quality players leave the City Ground every summer has to end at some point. The Reds are now in a strong position financially to end it this year.

Not only this, but Lolley only signed a four-and-a-half-year contract in February. There’s no need for the Reds to allow him to leave for anything less than he’s worth.

Keeping him has to be the priority this summer.