Warburton is said to have wanted Hayes at Rangers – could the former Ibrox boss finally get his man at Nottingham Forest?
Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes [second left]
Nottingham Forest are the latest club to be credited with an interest in Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes, the Evening Express reports.
Forest boss Mark Warburton is said to have wanted Hayes – who scored 11 goals and assisted 24 in 44 games this past campaign – while manager of Rangers [Daily Record].
Former Rangers manager Mark Warburton
And he could face a battle to get his man, with Forest’s Championship rivals Cardiff City and Birmingham City also linked with the Republic of Ireland international – although it is Celtic who are the deemed the current front-runners, and could inflict yet more misery on the former Rangers boss, whom they beat in both league meetings prior to his sacking.
Having since preserved Forest’s second tier status, Warburton is looking to rebuild his squad with the help of Greek businessman Evangelos Marinakis.
Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis [centre]
And a winger such as Hayes – a left-footer who can operate on either flank – could be high on the 54-year-old’s agenda after the Reds’ failure to adequately replace Scotland international Oliver Burke a year ago.
Former Nottingham Forest winger Oliver Burke
Hayes, 29, began his career in English football with Reading and later played for Forest’s East Midlands rivals Leicester City before moving north of the border with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Can Warburton get one over Rangers’ fierce rivals by bringing Hayes to Nottingham Forest?
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