Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien looks set to leave before the transfer deadline with West Bromwich Albion closing in.
That’s according to The Athletic, who report that West Brom are ‘growing closer’ to signing O’Brien on loan until the end of the season.
Baggies boss Carlos Corberan wants to reunite with O’Brien having impressed together at Huddersfield Town last season.
Corberan and O’Brien reached the Championship playoff final together – only to lose 1-0 to Forest.
O’Brien and Terriers teammate Harry Toffolo both headed to Forest over the summer but they haven’t exactly enjoyed their time at the City Ground.
Toffolo has only played 34 minutes of Premier League action since the end of the World Cup.
O’Brien is in a similar boat, playing just 57 minutes in the Premier League with his role diminishing.
It looks like the 24-year-old now wants to go out and play regularly again and Corberan is unsurprisingly happy to work with him again.
An energetic and tireless midfielder in Corberan’s Huddersfield side, O’Brien could now help West Brom’s charge towards the Championship playoffs.
It’s hard to tell whether there will be a long-term future for O’Brien at Forest, but a permanent move to The Hawthorns surely can’t be ruled out – especially if West Brom manage to go up.
As for Toffolo, Sky Sports News claim that he is nearing a move to Anderlecht – again, a loan until the end of the season.
This double deal really hasn’t worked out for anybody involved and moving away for some regular starts seems to be the best decision.
With Toffolo and O’Brien seemingly heading out, maybe that clears some room for Forest to bring a signing or two in before the deadline.