Journalist provides update as Nottingham Forest chase Derby star

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Derby County have no intention of selling Lee Buchanan and Nottingham Forest will have to up the ante if they are to sign him, according to The Athletic.

The Rams defender has been linked with a move to the City Ground. Forest are trying to take advantage of Derby’s perilous off-field situation.

Buchanan is a product of the Rams’ academy. He has risen through the ranks and was a mainstay in Wayne Rooney’s team during 2020/21.

Forest are in the market for a new left-back. Tyler Blackett has undergone surgery, Gaetan Bong is surplus and Yuri Ribeiro was allowed to leave on a free.

Buchanan has now been identified and Forest are weighing up a second offer.

Last season, the England under-21 full-back showcased his versatility, making several outings at centre-back too.

He managed 37 appearances in total and Rooney often sung the player’s praises following several fine performances.

Given the situation at Derby, losing a prized academy starlet to their fierce rivals would sting. With that in mind, it’s perhaps no surprise to see The Athletic claim they have no desire to sell.

Buchanan will be out of contract next summer. That does hand Forest the initiative when it comes to the ongoing negotiations.

Future star: Forest should pull out the stops to sign Buchanan

The Reds are yet to add to their outfield playing ranks and signings are needed in plenty of positions.

Left-back is an immediate cause for concern with Blackett now injured and Buchanan would be an ideal recruit.

At 20 he has bags of time to continue his development and he’d be a sound step in the right direction.

Prising him from Derby will be tricky. Despite his contract situation, the Rams would see losing Buchanan to Forest as an aberration.

With that in mind, they could demand a big fee to thwart the Reds in their efforts.

Despite that, Forest know that Derby’s situation financially is weak and with that in mind, they must keep trying to poke the nest a little while longer.