Nottingham Forest could land two Stoke City veterans.
According to The Mirror, Nottingham Forest are in talks to sign swap Ben Osborn for Stoke City’s James McClean – and could also sign Erik Pieters.
Forest are looking for reinforcements before Thursday’s transfer deadline, with new manager Martin O’Neill no doubt hoping to strengthen his squad.
O’Neill has been strongly linked with a move to reunite with Stoke winger McClean, which is no surprise given that they worked together with Ireland.
Now, The Mirror report that Forest are in talks about a deal to sign McClean, but it may not be a move that fans were expecting.
It’s claimed that Forest and Stoke are in talks about a swap deal, which would see McClean head to the City Ground and midfielder Ben Osborn move on to the Potters.
The report even adds that it could end up being a two-for-one deal, with Stoke left back Erik Pieters also wanted by Forest before the deadline.
Osborn, 24, has come up through the Forest ranks and has more than 200 appearances to his name, meaning his exit would be an emotional one for the player and fans.
Swapping a talented homegrown player for two players around their 30’s seems strange, but if O’Neill feels that Pieters and McClean can strengthen the left side of this Forest side, then a deal may well go through.
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