Nottingham Forest are battling Mick McCarthy’s APOEL Nicosia for the signature of Republic of Ireland international Jack Byrne ahead of the January transfer window, according to Cypriot publication Protathlima.
The Shamrock Rovers star isn’t the first goalscoring midfielder to be linked with a move to the City Ground of late.
With Forest failing to score in their past five matches and managing just eight goals all season, Chris Hughton is crying out for some attacking thrust as he bids to drag Forest clear of the relegation zone.
And Byrne certainly isn’t short of end product.
After failing to make an impression at Wigan, Blackburn, Oldham and Kilmarnock, the 24-year-old has played like a man possessed since moving back to Ireland.
With 18 goals in the past two seasons, Byrne fired Shamrock Rovers to the league and cup double, forcing his way into the Republic of Ireland squad as a result.
McCarthy described the one-time Manchester City youngster as an “outstanding” talent during his time as the ROI boss, with reports now suggesting a reunion could be on the cards at Cypriot outfit APOEL.
Former Man City youth coach Patrick Vieira, meanwhile, compared Byrne to Forest legend Roy Keane (Examiner).
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