Nottingham Forest look set to lose out on the signing of two Gosport starlets as the pair start training with Bournemouth. The News claims that Finn Walsh-Smith and Dylan Holgate were both on the radar of the City Ground outfit.
It would seem that interest was rife in the talented duo. Several clubs have been credited with an interest, including Crystal Palace, Fulham and National League promotion hopefuls Chesterfield.
The Forest academy were monitoring the duo very carefully. Gary Brazil is renowned for taking a look at lower-league players and the Reds were firmly in the mix to take the Gosport duo.
Walsh-Smith is an uncompromising central defender. He caught the eye last season when he broke into the Gosport senior ranks despite being just 17-years-old, making his debut in December 2021.
The enforcer is now 18 and has made 16 appearances for the south coast outfit. He’s started 12 times with Gosport playing their football in the Southern League Premier Division South.
Holgate is a little way back in terms of his development. He’s a striker that has yet to make an appearance for the first team; although he has been on the bench on two occasions this season.
Both players have emerged through Gosport’s reputable Centre of Excellent and the two youngsters are born and bred in Gosport.
Now, the pair could be on the move. Bournemouth have taken the duo on trial with a view to adding them both to their academy ranks and a decision could be made in the next week.
Forest set to lose out on Gosport starlets
This could be a bit of a blow for the Reds’ academy ranks. It does seem likely, however, that geography could play a part in their decision-making.
Moving to Bournemouth would likely suit both players. The teenagers would be able to stay at home and they’d be relaxed with their new career move.
Forest have been known to make their young players feel welcome though. The club has attracted a lot of talent from Ireland and clearly, they saw something in the Gosport duo.
The Reds will likely be keeping close tabs on how Holgate and Walsh-Smith perform at Bournemouth. If they choose not to sign them, perhaps Forest will pounce for the non-league starlets.