Nottingham Forest are reportedly unlikely to sanction a permanent exit for Lewis O’Brien. The midfielder joined D.C. United earlier this week and he will remain there until July.
Some supporters had been sceptical over claims that there was an option to buy in the loan deal. The Athletic has shed some light on this, however, and the news is more positive.
It’s claimed that the option to buy is nothing more than a necessity for any loan deal to be completed in the MLS. Much like every player in Spain has to have a release clause; every club in America that loans a player must include an option to buy.
Forest rate O’Brien extremely highly. Their consensus is that they’ve loaned the 24-year-old out merely to get some games and are hopeful that the player will return with a desire to continue his Forest career.
D.C. United have got themselves a fantastic player in the short term. He has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in the MLS and he will hope to get up to speed quickly.
Wayne Rooney will oversee the player’s development. He gave the young players at Derby a real chance last season and he could be good for O’Brien’s development.
Forest unlikely to sanction permanent O’Brien exit
This will be a relief to many Forest fans. They were getting a little panicky after reports claimed that D.C. United had the option to buy the player in the summer once his loan expires.
Thankfully, MLS rules mean that such a clause must exist. Now, it appears highly unlikely that O’Brien will return to the City Ground in time for the next season to begin.
It’s a shame how things have worked out for the talented midfielder. Ultimately, Forest’s form was decent in January and it’s not hard to understand why the Reds were willing to loan him out.
The door is not closed at Forest for O’Brien though. All he can do is get his head down, play some football in America and hopefully return next season with a point to prove to the Reds.