Report explains why Lee Tomlin could snub Nottingham Forest deal

Follow us on Google Discover

Nottingham Forest want to keep Cardiff City loanee Lee Tomlin at the City Ground after a series of fine performances in the Championship.

Nottingham Forest will try to sign Lee Tomlin from Cardiff City on a permanent basis this summer, according to the Nottingham Post, but the talented play-maker is allegedly eyeing a chance in the Premier League.

Tomlin has been typically hot and cold since joining Forest as part of Aitor Karanka’s extensive recruitment drive on January deadline day. But when he is hot, he is very, very hot.

The enigmatic 29-year-old has been criticised by supporters for some rather lacklustre performances yet has lit up the Championship on other occasions, such as the 3-0 win against Barnsley on Tuesday when he scored one, assisted another and ran the visitors’ defence ragged.

The Mirror (March 22, page 62) reported that Forest were keen to sign Tomlin, and fellow loanee Costel Pantilimon, on a permanent basis in the summer.

According to the Nottingham Post, Karanka is still very interested in keeping the former Middlesbrough talent, who he coached at the Riverside, in the East Midlands.

But the report adds that Forest face a number of obstacles. Firstly, Cardiff are understood to have demanded a big fee for Tomlin, who they signed last summer for £2.9 million.

And, secondly, Tomlin wants a chance to prove himself in the Premier League, having only played six games in the competition during a forgettable spell at Bournemouth in 2015/16.

This suggests a return to parent club Cardiff, who are occupying the automatic promotion position with just two games to go, could be in his sights. So even if Forest agree a fee, there could be a chance that Tomlin will turn the club down with Premier League football at the City Ground obviously impossible next season.