Nottingham Forest target Matt Crooks could now end up at Derby County ahead of the 2021/22 campaign. The Reds were linked with a move for the midfielder when Sabri Lamouchi was in charge.
Following Rotherham’s relegation to League One, they face a real battle to keep their top performers and clubs are sniffing around Crooks, according to the East Anglian Daily Times.
Middlesbrough, Cardiff and Peterborough are all keen, with the Rams, currently under a transfer embargo, also interested.
Rotherham value Crooks as a seven-figure player. The latest bid which has been rejected from an unnamed club is thought to be in the region of £600,000.
Crooks scored seven goals and registered three assists last season. Perhaps the beauty of him is his ability to play in a number of different positions.
Last season he operated as a defensive midfielder, a no.10 and as a conventional central midfield player.
At 27 the former Rangers man would prove a decent addition for Championship clubs, even if a seven-figure bid is required to prise him away from the New York Stadium.
Forest interest in Crooks is unlikely to remain. Chris Hughton has now replaced Lamouchi and the links have quietened since his arrival at the City Ground.
Should Forest re-enter Crooks chase?
Every team needs a player like the Rotherham utility man. Whether or not he’s quite right for Forest, however, remains to be seen.
The Reds do need some midfielders. They have Ryan Yates, Cafu and Jack Colback competing for places, although the latter was out of favour last season.
Crooks would probably cost in the region of £1 million and Forest’s recruitment team might have him on their radar.
Derby’s interest seems somewhat bizarre. They’re currently in a mess financially and are operating under a transfer embargo.
With other clubs interested though, Forest might need to act quickly if they’re serious about Crooks.
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