Nottingham Forest are set to offer a contract to out of contract midfielder Joe Rothwell, according to John Percy of The Telegraph.
The player will become a free agent in the summer with his Blackburn Rovers contract due to expire in a few weeks.
Rothwell has been with Rovers since 2018 when he checked in from Oxford United. He has made 161 appearances for the Championship outfit, scoring 11 goals and registering 18 assists.
He’s been unable to agree on terms over a new deal at Ewood Park and the 27-year-old will now be an attractive free agent.
Rothwell is a product of the Manchester United academy and he can operate in a number of midfield roles.
The player was given more of a license to drive forward by Tony Mowbray during 2021/22 and he bagged three goals and claimed 10 assists.
Rothwell will have other interested parties vying for his signature but it would appear that Forest are currently in pole position.
The report claims that Forest face early competition from West Brom but Forest will offer a contract regardless of what happens in the play-offs.
Mowbray is a big fan of Rothwell. After a 2-1 win over Forest back in August he called the player a ‘super talent’ and labelled his dribbling qualities ‘amazing’.
Forest offer contract to Rothwell and he looks ideal
The midfielder is a proven Championship performer and on a free transfer, signing him looks like a no-brainer.
Rothwell has been a mainstay in the Blackburn team this season and Forest could find themselves in need of a midfielder.
Ryan Yates recently penned a new deal but James Garner will return to Manchester United. Jack Colback, Cafu, Braian Ojeda and Tyrese Fornah all contracted to the club also.
Some players could leave though and the chance to have Rothwell in the ranks is clearly something that would help Forest.
Rothwell is quality at Championship level. As a result, signing him on a free makes absolutely perfect sense.