Nottingham Forest deadline day transfer 'collapse' revealed
Teenage defender Lewis Carrol’s proposed deadline day move to Nottingham Forest collapsed at the last minute, it has been claimed.
Reports on Monday suggested the Reds were set to sign the highly-regarded 16-year-old from Aberdeen. He had previously attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea but had apparently opted to head Trentside.
According to the Press and Journal, a deal in principle had been agreed which included a six-figure fee and “significant” add-ons. And the player himself had travelled to Nottingham with a view to joining the youth set-up at the Nigel Doughty Academy.
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However, it is claimed the move “collapsed over red tape” and he is still with the Scottish outfit. The report says there was an administrative “issue” at the Forest end as the club did not secure the required Fifa clearance, via the Football Association, to sign an under-18s player cross-border.
Carrol had been compared to Manchester City’s John Stones in a previous report by The Athletic. The youngster’s height and ability to bring the ball out of defence reportedly earned comparisons with the 30-year-old defender.
Forest had a quiet winter window but they did do some business with one eye on planning for the future. Young defender Tyler Bindon was the only senior signing made but the 20-year-old was immediately loaned back to Reading for the remainder of the season.
Confirmation of a loan switch for teenage winger Joel Ndala came after deadline day. The 18-year-old joined the Reds from Manchester City, with an option to buy included in the deal. He will initially be part of the academy set-up.
Craig Mulholland, head of football development and talent management, said of Ndala: "We are delighted that Joel will be joining us here at Forest. He is an exciting young talent who our recruitment team have tracked for some time.
With our history of having an Academy graduate in every first team squad since the 1940s I know Joel will be excited by the pathway we have here at Forest for talent to progress. We wish him well for this next exciting chapter in his career, and all of our excellent staff are looking forward to working with him."
