Luke Freeman is said to be back on Nottingham Forest’s recruitment radar, but who faces the biggest threat from his potential arrival at the City Ground.
The Sun on Sunday have suggested that a raid on the ranks at Sheffield United could be on the cards.
Forest are not the only side in the mix for Freeman.
The talk of interest has, however, garnered plenty of support from those on Trentside.
And for good reason.
Freeman is a proven performer at Championship level.
He spent the five seasons prior to the 2019-20 campaign in the second tier of English football.
Across spells at Bristol City and QPR, the 27-year-old registered 17 goals.
Hardly prolific, but a useful return nonetheless.
Especially as Freeman is more of a creative influence, a man there to tee up others rather than deliver the finishing touch himself.
Those qualities are further highlighted by his assist record.
Over the aforementioned period of time, Freeman has laid on 28 efforts – from 311 chances created.
Assists
(Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Nobody can claim to have topped those numbers.
Leeds star Pablo Hernandez gets as close as anybody.
The Spaniard has delivered the same number of assists from 310 chances.
In terms of names familiar with Forest, Albert Adomah has 22 assists and 27 goals – Joe Lolley 16 and 19.
Freeman would be a shrewd addition to the ranks.
Someone, though, would slip down the pecking order should he be lured away from Bramall Lane.
Who should be looking over their shoulder?
Tiago Silva is the favoured option for Sabri Lamouchi in a No. 10 role.
The Portuguese has shown that he has the graft to go with guile in the Reds’ engine room.
Freeman could be considered to be cut from similar cloth.
Maybe, though, he could be asked to fill a wider playmaking berth.
Talismanic
Joe Lolley, despite scratching around for form at times this season, is a talismanic presence on his day.
Sammy Ameobi fits more into the enigmatic bracket.
Freeman would be competition for the former Bolton man, and fellow winger Adomah.
Teenage sensation Alex Mighten might also have to make do with more U23 football for now.
In terms of those currently knocking on the door, minutes may prove in short supply.
Joao Carvalho is the obvious loser when it comes to any deal for Freeman.
The 22-year-old already finds himself on the bench.
He is often the go-to man when changes are required to influence proceedings in the final third, but would that remain the case?
Would Alfa Semedo also find it tougher to catch Lamouchi’s eye?
Freeman is capable of operating wide, centrally, behind a striker or slightly deeper.
He would tick plenty of boxes.
Some of those who currently boast checks next to their names may be keeping one eye on the arrivals lounge.