Celtic have joined Nottingham Forest in the race to sign Derby County defender Lee Buchanan, according to the Daily Record.
The Reds made a bid of £1.2 million for the left-back late last week. That was knocked back by the Rams, with Wayne Rooney adamant that he doesn’t want to see anyone leave.
The Rams boss previously called the 20-year-old a ‘top, top player’ and ‘one of the best left-backs in the country’.
Forest are thought to be undeterred in their efforts to sign Buchanan. A report from The Sun yesterday, claimed that another bid from the Reds was imminent.
Now though Celtic are the latest club to declare their interest. Ange Postecoglou is busy getting his feet under the table and is still seeking new players.
His team drew 1-1 with Midtjylland last week as he kicked off his time at the club with a bit of a drab result.
On Saturday, Celtic were thumped 6-2 by West Ham, reiterating why Postecoglou still needs to bolster his squad ahead of the new campaign.
Buchanan is a product of the Derby academy. He has burst onto the scene in the last 18 months, starring at left-back for the Rams.
During 2020/21 he played in 37 games for Derby, registering three assists. The Rams survived relegation on the final day of the campaign after a 3-3 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
Forest are in the market for a left-back. Yuri Ribeiro has left on a free, whilst Tyler Blackett has undergone surgery on an injury problem.
Forest chase Buchanan: Time to up the ante
If the Reds are serious about landing the Derby man it’s time for the club to show their full hand.
With Celtic in the mix and the potential of European football on the table, a move to Parkhead will surely appease Buchanan.
Likewise, Forest will have significant pulling power too, not least some stability, with just 12 months to run on his Derby deal.
After such a ferocious chase for his signature, Forest need to now go all in to try and snare Buchanan from Derby ahead of Celtic.
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
