Nottingham Forest want Luke Turner and Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin has confirmed that the Irishman can now join the play-off semi-finalists on a free transfer, speaking to the Press and Journal.
If Turner can emulate the achievements of the last talented young centre-half to swap Scotland for the City Ground – the colossal Scott McKenna – then he could prove to be an inspired addition to Steve Cooper’s impressive Forest backline.
The Daily Record claim that the Premier League hopefuls have been impressed by Turner’s performances on loan at Northern Irish outfit Cliftonville.
The Dublin-born 19-year-old has been offered a trial at the City Ground. And Aberdeen will not stand in his way, the teenager’s contract expiring in July.
“Luke has had a really good loan period over in Northern Ireland and has done particularly well,” says Dons boss Goodwin, confirming that Turner is free to leave Pittodrie despite his eye-catching progress across the sea.
“We’ve got another one or two good young centre-backs coming through the system and you’re always wary of blocking that pathway.”
Nottingham Forest want Luke Turner from Aberdeen
Turner earned the Young Player of the Year award at the Northern Ireland Football Awards this month, helping Cliftonville finish second in the table, just one point shy of eventual champions Linfield.
“He has been a revelation,” says Cliftonville manager Paddy McLaughlin, via the Belfast Telegraph. “He has put in big performances and he has been really consistent.
“It’s difficult sometimes for young players to be consistently good every week. But he has been a really consistent performer for us at 19 years of age.
“For such a young boy, he looks like an established player.”
The Record believe that Turner will be used initially by Nottingham Forest’s U21 side. Cooper’s excellent track record when it comes to giving youth a chance means first-team opportunities will never be too far away at the two-time European champions however.
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