Nottingham Forest have agreed on a fee with Blackpool for the service of Josh Bowler, according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon.
The Reds have been chasing the tricky winger for some time, with the player rejecting a move to the City Ground in January.
Then, he chose to stay with Blackpool as they bid to reach the Championship play-offs in their maiden season back in the division.
The Tangerines fell short in that quest but he did score eight goals and claim three assists from his 45 appearances in the team.
Now, Michael Appleton is in a bit of a predicament over his prized attacking asset.
The player will be out of contract in under 12 months and this could be the club’s last chance to recoup a serious transfer fee for the player.
It’s claimed that Bowler played last night as the two clubs haggled over the fee for the 23-year-old.
Forest’s offer was around £3.5 million and it seems nonsensical that the club were bartering over a small amount of money.
Blackpool have already moved to sign a replacement for Bowler this summer.
They recently completed a deal to sign Celtic talent Owen Moffatt and Appleton has a proud history of utilising youth in his teams.
Fee agreed by Forest for Bowler
This would be a very useful signing, not least because it would allow Forest to change their formation.
The Reds would be able to mix things up and operate with a 4-2-3-1 system if they were to add another natural winger.
Bowler is accustomed to playing on the left and has played the majority of his football on that side for Blackpool.
During his time at Everton, David Unsworth called the player ‘magic’ for some scintillating performances.
Now, it seems as though the ball is in the player’s court.
Bowler does have history when it comes to rejecting Forest but with the club now in the Premier League, surely lightning won’t strike twice.