In 2018 Nottingham Forest youngster Alex Mighten was the subject of interest from Manchester United, according to Nottinghamshire Live.
Along with Matthew Bondswell, he was linked with a switch to Old Trafford before his City Ground career had even started.
Right-back Bondswell did leave. He joined Red Bull Leipzig in 2018 and is a regular with the club’s under-19 side.
Mighten stuck around on Trentside, however, and yesterday after much speculation, he penned his first professional contract with Forest.
The 17-year-old is a regular in Jimmy Gilligan’s under-23 team and made his first-team debut at Arsenal in the Carabao Cup earlier this season.
Being linked with United says it all about the forward. He is quick, has the ability to take players on and can also chip in with goals.
Had the Red Devils come knocking, Mighten might have ended up at Old Trafford. Their loss is now Forest’s gain, however, and for the foreseeable, Mighten will be trying to light up the City Ground.
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He has shown during his appearances with the under-23 team exactly what he is capable of. The next challenge for the teenager is to work his way into Sabri Lamouchi’s team on a regular basis.
International
Mighten has been a regular goalscorer for various different youth ranks at international level and he is certainly an exciting talent.
If the youngster’s rate of development continues then he is seriously capable of being a first-team regular for years to come.
It would appear that the days of Forest cashing in on their talented youngsters is long gone.
Mighten joins Matty Cash, Ryan Yates and Tyrese Fornah in penning long-term deals at the City Ground.
The teen-phenomenon must now knuckle down and ensure that his cameo at Arsenal wasn’t a flash in the pan.
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