If Nottingham Forest want to bring Burke back to the City Ground, this is their chance with Championship rivals West Brom seemingly keen to get rid.
Oliver Burke’s struggles since leaving the City Ground in 2017 have not been easy viewing for Nottingham Forest fans.
The Scottish winger looked set for the big time after making a fine start to life at RB Leipzig two years ago, earning Forest £13 million after his move to Germany (BBC). These days, however, Burke is struggling to even get on West Brom’s bench.
The 21-year-old has made just two Championship appearances all season and, according to the Express and Star, manager Darren Moore will let him leave on loan in January – just over a year after West Brom paid £15 million for his signature (The Guardian).
So if Forest have any hope of bringing Burke back to the club where he made his name, this is their golden chance. The question, however, is whether Forest have moved beyond the speedy winger these days?
Aitor Karanka’s side are in top form right now, moving into fifth place after the 2-0 win against Ipswich Town on Saturday. And it is difficult to see where Burke would get into Forest’s XI these days, with Joe Lolley in the form of his life and Matty Cash, Joao Carvalho and Gil Dias starting to perform on a more regular basis.
Two years ago, Burke was one of the first names on Nottingham Forest’s team sheet. And it is a reflection on both his fall and the club’s rise that he’d struggle to even get on their bench in 2019.
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