Nottingham Forest are set to miss out on Tottenham starlet Dilan Markanday. According to Sky Sports, Blackburn are set to sign the under-23 player on a permanent deal this month.
News emerged last month that Forest were keen on the youngster. He has been a standout performer in the Tottenham under-23s this season and has made a first-team debut.
Markanday played the last 15 minutes as Tottenham lost 1-0 to Vitesse in the Europa Conference League.
The majority of his football has come for the under-23s though. This season, he’s scored 12 goals in 17 appearances for the young guns and will now earn a Championship shot.
Forest have been keen to bolster their attacking ranks this month. Keinan Davis has been added; whilst the Reds are eyeing moves for Josh Bowler and Jed Wallace.
Markanday typically operates on the left but he can also play upfront. That level of versatility would have certainly delighted Steve Cooper.
Forest were linked with a loan for the 20-year-old. Perhaps on that basis, the Reds weren’t keen to take the talent on a permanent deal like Blackburn are.
Rovers are chasing promotion this season and they’re expected to sign the player this month. The fee will be £1 million potentially rising to £2.5 million.
Blow: Markanday could have shone at Forest
It’s always a shame to see Forest lose out on talented youngsters. The Reds could find themselves seriously missing the boat with Markanday.
Of course, his arrival would have represented a risk. Any youngster that is unproven always comes with an element of uncertainty.
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Markanday has played a lot of games at under-23 level though and Forest will now watch his progress at Blackburn with intrigue.
Only time will tell whether Markanday proves to be one that got away from a Forest perspective.