Derby County linked with Nottingham Forest transfer but face major hurdle
Derby County are interested in signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien, according to reports.
Alan Nixon says the Rams are one of several clubs interested in doing a deal for the midfielder who looks set to leave the City Ground before tomorrow's deadline.
Both Preston and Blackburn are keen on the 26-year-old but it is claimed they cannot come up with "with even half of his salary". According to Nixon, Derby, Luton, and Swansea, flush with cash from selling Matt Grimes to Coventry, are willing to pay more to close the deal.
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But it is claimed that O'Brien, who has been on loan at Los Angeles FC, wants a move to a club that has a chance of reaching the Championship play-offs.
O'Brien has not played for Forest since the 2022/23 season when he made 17 appearances in the Premier League after helping them to promotion to the top flight.
Loan spells at DC United and Middlesbrough followed before moving to Los Angeles on loan. Derby are eager to bolster their midfield options in what is expected to be pivotal 24 hours in the window.
Saturday's defeat to Sheffield United left them two points adrift of safety at the bottom of the Championship with pressure mounting on head coach Paul Warne.
Derby yesterday completed the signing of centre-back Sondre Langas from Viking FK for a fee of £4m and the club is eager to supplement his arrival with more creative forward and midfield options before the 11pm deadline.
