With Middlesbrough eyeing John McGinn, could it pave way for Adam Clayton’s Nottingham Forest move?

Follow us on Google Discover

Aitor Karanka wants a reunion with Middlesbrough duo Adam Clayton and Grant Leadbitter at his new Championship employers Nottingham Forest.

Speculation surrounding the future for Hibernian youngster John McGinn appears to have dried up in recent weeks.

And, make no mistake, this is exactly what Hibs manager Neil Lennon wanted. The outspoken gaffer said repeatedly that the midfielder was worth more than £5 million, as reported by STV and, after reported interest from a number of clubs including Celtic, Ipswich Town and West Ham, the Scotland international is no longer dominating the gossip columns quite so frequently.

But he did make an appearance on Monday. The Yorkshire Post states that Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis is keen to make the 22-year-old McGinn one of his first signings at the Riverside.

Hibs have already rejected three bids from Championship rivals Nottingham Forest in the last few months, the Nottingham Post reports. And, funnily enough, the prospect of McGinn signing for Middlesbrough may not be bad news for the East Midlands giants.

Because his arrival in the North East could give new Forest boss Aitor Karanka the encouragement he needs to make a move for one of his former Middlesbrough lynchpins.

The Northern Echo reported last week that Karanka was eyeing a reunion with the out-of-favour Adam Clayton at the City Ground. And the Mirror (page 44, 15^th January) states that another Boro favourite, Grant Leadbitter, is also on the Spaniard’s shopping list.

McGinn, meanwhile, looks like a younger alternative to either Clayton or Leadbitter. He is tenacious, energetic and has the energy to perform the same box-to-box duties as the long-serving Boro duo.

So does it really matter that Forest could miss out on McGinn? Karanka will not care; not if it paves the way for the exit of either Clayton or Leadbitter.