Wayne Rooney has suggested that he’s gutted to see Lewis O’Brien head back to Nottingham Forest. The midfielder played his last game for D.C. United last night as they were beaten 4-0 by New England Revolution.
O’Brien made 17 appearances for Rooney’s team after joining on loan in February. They’ve not extended the loan though, with Forest keen for him to return to the club for pre-season training.
It’s proved a successful loan spell for the Forest man. He’s got the exposure to first-team football that he desperately craved and ended a very frustrating period for him at the City Ground.
O’Brien made 14 appearances for Forest during the first half of the 2022/23 campaign. The signing of Danilo shunted him down the order somewhat though and he was omitted from the 25-man squad.
Now, Rooney is facing up to life without O’Brien in his squad. He’s suggested that he’s extremely disappointed to see him leave and praised his loanee after last night’s heavy defeat.
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He told the Washington Post: “He’s been great for us. We’re losing a really good player, and we knew that’s what it was. We’re still trying to get him back and keep him here. I’m sure over the next two weeks or so we’ll have an answer from Nottingham Forest, but we’re trying a few different ways to get him back.”
Rooney desperate to sign Forest midfielder O’Brien
A move for O’Brien to return to D.C. United is probably something that he would consider in the near future. The deciding factor, however, will be whether or not they’re willing to part with the money that Forest want.
Sheffield United have been linked with a move for the maestro. It was claimed that they were prepared to pay around £10 million to sign O’Brien, but Forest might not want to sell to a likely rival.
The future does look unclear for O’Brien. With Forest targeting midfielder players of their own, however, it does look as though the player’s return to the City Ground will be a short-term thing.