Oliver Burke has been surprisingly linked with a return to the Championship – but with Sheffield Wednesday rather than Nottingham Forest.
Former Nottingham Forest chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi
There’s a whole host of reasons why Nottingham Forest supporters didn’t exactly shed any tears when former owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi brought an overdue end to his reign of terror at the City Ground.
Yet, if there’s one moment above all that summed up his tumultuous leadership of one of English football’s biggest clubs, it was his decision to sell Oliver Burke with just three days remaining in the summer transfer window.
Forest may have obtained a hefty £13 million windfall from Burke’s move to Bundesliga newcomers RB Leipzig (Sky Sports) but he was no ordinary squad member. The young Scot was reared in Forest’s famed academy, joining in 2005 as a schoolboy and making his debut almost a decade later.
And, with an electric turn of pace reminiscent of a young Gareth Bale, he also happened to be arguably the most gifted player in Forest’s squad.
However, it’s fair to say his debut season in Germany hasn’t gone to plan. Despite Leipzig finishing second and qualifying for the Champions League, the 20-year-old was handed just five Bundesliga starts.
Oliver Burke in action for RB Leipzig
Therefore, The Sun claims that Burke could be set for a surprise return to the Championship on a season-long loan deal. Though, in a turn up for the books, they add that Sheffield Wednesday, rather than Nottingham Forest, could be his destination.
And though Leipzig coach Ralf Hasenhutl has cast doubt on any immediate departure (per the Scottish Sun), it’s fair to say Forest fans are wondering how on earth their club could be beaten by Wednesday to the signature of their homegrown hero.
Would love Burke to return and get that Scottish connection with Cummings. Who else would love this ? #nffc #burke
— NffcHub (@NffcHub) June 18, 2017
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