Nottingham Forest are keen to sign Burnley centre-back Kevin Long prior to Thursday’s transfer deadline, according to the Nottingham Post.
The Reds are keen to add another defender to their ranks after Tendayi Darikwa was ruled out for a number of months last week. The 27-year-old picked up an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training.
Although Sean Dyche has predominantly utilised Long as a centre-back, he does have the ability to play at full-back. This versatility could be why the Reds are reportedly interested in the defender.
It’s unknown whether or not the Reds have made a formal approach for the 28-year-old at this stage. According to the Sun on Sunday (04/08), Stoke City are also interested.
Both Long and James Tarkowski missed Burnley’s final pre-season game of the summer against Parma. However, Dyche has since insisted this was due to injury rather than being anything to do with the recent speculation.
Long was a peripheral figure for the Clarets last season. He made just six appearances in the Premier League.
The Seat Pitch Summary
Long wouldn’t be a bad addition to Sabri Lamouchi’s squad, but he may no longer be needed.
It seems more likely that the Reds will sign Arsenal right-back Carl Jenkinson this week (The Sun). The 27-year-old, who was linked with a £5 million move to Crystal Palace earlier this summer, is understood to be close to securing a move to the City Ground.
It seems unnecessary for the Reds to sign both Jenkinson and Long. The Reds are already well-stocked in the centre-back position. Matty Cash would also be able to provide competition for Jenkinson at right-back.
Lamouchi already has a big enough squad to deal with. Long would be another player who wouldn’t necessarily be guaranteed first team football every week.
It remains to be seen how many more players the Reds bring in before Thursday’s deadline. There’s no doubt that both Long and Jenkinson would be solid signings.
However, the arrival of Jenkinson seems far more likely at this stage.
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