Nottingham Forest have been linked with Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna.
According to a report by the Bristol Post, Aberdeen are close to signing Bristol City defender Zak Vyner on a season-long loan deal – a move which could benefit Championship rivals Nottingham Forest.
The report states the Dons hope to conclude a deal for Vyner in time for the defender to be able to travel with the squad to Croatia for the club’s first-leg Europa League tie with Rijeka on Thursday.
Vyner spent last season on loan at Rotherham United. He is versatile, capable of playing right-back but he is predominantly a centre-back and Aberdeen could view him as a potential replacement for Scott McKenna.
McKenna has reportedly handed in a transfer request this week with Championship clubs Nottingham Forest and Queens Park Rangers cited as clubs south of the border keen on bringing him in.
The Daily Record claim the Dons value him at £7 million, and the club won’t accept anything less. Sky Sports, meanwhile, state Forest hope to complete a deal for McKenna before Thursday’s 5pm deadline having previously had two bids knocked back.
The Reds started the Championship campaign with a 2-1 defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion. Michael Dawson and Joe Worrall started the game at centre-back, and there are question marks over both.
There is a distinct lack of pace between the two Forest defenders, while Worrall may lack the technical ability to be able to play the ball out from the back as manager Sabri Lamouchi wants.
McKenna, 22, has an abundance of potential and his qualities on the ball make him an ideal target for Forest ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Vyner joining Aberdeen may ease the pain of losing McKenna, while Dons manager Derek McInnes has a good eye for talent with Derby County’s Max Lowe enjoying a successful loan spell at Pittodrie last season.
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