Ben Osborn could be leaving Nottingham Forest this week.
Nottingham Forest have already landed one signing under Martin O’Neill in Leicester City defender Yohan Benalouane, and more deals could be done before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Forest appointed O’Neill as their new manager earlier this month, and he is now looking to reunite with one of his former Ireland players.
The Mirror report that O’Neill wants to reunite with Stoke City winger James McClean, having made the wide man a key part of his Ireland side over the years.
Additionally, O’Neill wants his teammate Erik Pieters, but signing both may see Forest ace Ben Osborn head the other way to the bet365 Stadium.
Giving up Osborn for two players around their 30’s would be questionable, and it would also be an emotional deal for Forest fans given Osborn’s ties to the club.
Osborn, 24, came up through the club’s ranks having joined from Derby County way back in 2003, and now has more than 200 appearances for Forest to his name.
After around 16 years with Forest, talk of an Osborn exit has sparked a major split reaction from fans on Twitter, who have been having their say on the swap deal rumour.
Some believe that Forest could be mad to let Osborn go, claiming a deal would be a ‘calamity’ and worth of throwing season tickets into the River Trent, whilst adding that it would be incredibly short-sighted.
Others think that Osborn has failed to really nail down one position at Forest and may be better off heading elsewhere to further his career, whilst some simply believe that McClean is a better player than Osborn.
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