Alan Hutton had reportedly looked set to join Nottingham Forest, but West Bromwich Albion are now interested with his City Ground switch in doubt.
According to a report from The Sun on Sunday (30/6; page 59), Alan Hutton’s potential move to Nottingham Forest is in doubt following Martin O’Neill’s departure from the City Ground, with West Brom now showing an interest in the right-back.
Hutton is a free agent this summer having been released in the wake of Aston Villa’s promotion to the Premier League. But it appears that he is set to get another chance in the Championship.
It had looked like Forest would be the side to win the race for his signature, but The Sun on Sunday (30/6; page 59) is reporting that the Scot’s move to the City Ground may be off with O’Neill leaving and swiftly being replaced by Sabri Lamouchi in the dugout.
The report notes that the news has alerted both the Baggies and Wigan Athletic, who are keen to bolster their own ranks at right-back this summer and are weighing up potential moves for Hutton.
Would Hutton fit the Bil for Slaven?
New West Brom boss Slaven Bilic definitely needs to sign a new right-back with Mason Holgate and Tosin Adarabioyo both returning to their parent clubs following the end of their respective loans at the Hawthorns.
Hutton is clearly not the long-term answer to the Baggies’ problems in that area of the pitch. But he showed during his last season with Villa that he can still do a job in the second tier – and offers some versatility with almost as many appearances coming at left-back as there were on the other flank.
West Brom fans will be hoping that there are some more exciting additions to come. And there are likely to be plenty of Baggies supporters not overly pleased about the links at all. But it could well be a very shrewd piece of business if they swoop in with Forest now looking elsewhere.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
