Report suggests Nottingham Forest face double blow in pursuit of Middlesbrough’s Grant Leadbitter and Adam Clayton

Follow us on Google Discover

Former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka is said to have been eyeing reunions with the pair at Nottingham Forest.

Reported Nottingham Forest target Grant Leadbitter has signed a two-and-half-year contract extension with Middlesbrough, according to the Northern Echo.

Leadbitter, who is Middlesbrough’s captain, has been linked with a move to Forest, where his former Boro manager Aitor Karanka is now employed.

The 32-year-old’s previous deal was due to expire this summer, which appeared to offer hope to any interested parties.

However, Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis is said to see Leadbitter as one of his most ‘important assets’ and will not allow him to leave, even if Nottingham Forest press ahead with their alleged plan to lodge a formal offer for the central midfielder.

And it is claimed that any approach would be ‘swiftly rebuffed’.

It would also be a surprise to see Adam Clayton depart the Riverside Stadium, after he too was listed as a possible Nottingham Forest target, according to the Northern Echo.

Although Clayton’s situation is said to be ‘slightly less clear cut’, with the 29-year-old having only appeared as a substitute under Pulis.

Middlesbrough allowed Adam Forshaw to leave for Leeds United on Thursday, and it is claimed the Teessiders would be reluctant to lose another experienced central midfielder.