Nottingham Forest reportedly want non-league star Kurtis Cumberbatch, two years after he was released by Charlton Athletic.
New Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis
Nottingham Forest fans may have been hoping that Evangelos Marinakis’ takeover at the City Ground would pave the way for a number of marquee summer signings.
Therefore, links with a 21-year-old plying his trade with non-league Harrow Borough may have come somewhat out of the blue. The Daily Mail reports that Kurtis Cumberbatch has caught the eye of Forest, as well as League One duo Bristol Rovers and Oxford United, after joining the Ryman Premier League side in January.
An excellent passer with an eye for goal, it seems inevitable that Cumberbatch will follow former Harrow team-mate Ibrahim Meite, who joined Championship rivals Cardiff City in January, into the second tier of English football.
Forest, who have underwhelmed with their transfer activity in recent years, appear to be taking a more considered approach to the market under director of football Frank McParland.
After all, Mark Warburton’s trusted right-hand man also spotted the likes of Scott Hogan and Andre Gray plying their trade lower down the footballing ladder so he clearly knows how to identify a diamond in the rough.
Nottingham Forest manager Mark Warburton
Charlton’s loss, Forest’s gain
If Cumberbatch manages to make this daunting step up, it will only rub salt into Charlton Athletic’s wounds.
After all, the League One side released the midfielder two years ago this month, forcing him to drop down into non-league to revive his career.
Charlton manager Karl Robinson
And the fact that he has been linked with a move to the Championship so soon after suggests that The Addicks may have made a mistake not giving him more of an opportunity to stake his claim.
The Wembley-born midfielder did not even make a single senior appearance in Charlton colours after all. Though they will surely wish they had not acted so swiftly in cutting ties if he proves his worth a division above.
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