Three EFL clubs want Steve Cooper signing who can’t get a look in at Nottingham Forest

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Nottingham Forest will be actively looking to offload some players this summer, with the squad looking somewhat bloated.

Nuno Espirito Santo likes to work with a streamlined squad, and after the loan players returned, things are looking a little stacked again.

Matt Turner is joining Lyon, and the hope will be that his departure sparks a bit of a domino effect.

The Reds announced their retained list earlier this week, with Harry Toffolo leaving Forest, and there were a few names included that highlight the need to get busy when it comes to outgoings.

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Three EFL clubs eye move for Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien

According to the Hull Daily Mail, three EFL clubs are now interested in taking O’Brien either on loan or in a permanent deal.

O’Brien has a year to run on his existing City Ground deal, and he’s being courted by Hull, Preston and Swansea, where he spent the second half of last season on loan.

The 26-year-old midfielder has to be considered very unlikely when it comes to his time at Forest.

He signed for £10 million from Huddersfield following promotion and made 14 appearances for the Reds, scoring once in the top flight.

However, he became ill around the winter World Cup break in 2022 and missed some action when domestic football returned.

With Danilo being signed during January from Palmeiras, it was decided that O’Brien would be omitted from the 25-man squad, and he has not made an appearance since.

He’s been on a number of loan spells with D.C. United, LAFC and Middlesbrough, all taking him on short-term deals over the past few seasons.

Forest will lose money on O’Brien

It’s been an unfortunate time of things for O’Brien, and his Premier League dream has become a bit of a nightmare.

However, there is definitely a player there and any club in the Championship would welcome him as part of their midfield ranks.

Forest aren’t going to be getting £10 million back on O’Brien with the player having a year to run on his deal and now it’s all about damage limitation.

Given the clubs who are interested, perhaps Hull is the club that would be in a position to put some money up and actually sign him permanently.

However, it does feel as though a loan deal will be more likely at this stage.