Notts County, Doncaster Rovers and Morecambe are keen on Nottingham Forest attacker Joe Gardner, according to a report by Football Insider.
The Premier League youngster is attracting plenty of attention from League Two clubs ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
notts county, Notts County, Doncaster Rovers and Morecambe eye Premier League youngster
Image courtesy of: ANDREW BOYERS/REUTERS.
Gardner, 19, has caught the eye playing for Nottingham Forest Under-21’s this season and may well be loaned out this winter to get some experience under his belt in the Football League.
According to Football Insider, he has emerged on the radar of Notts County, Doncaster Rovers and Morecambe as they all look to bolster their respective squads next month. Fellow fourth tier outfit Harrogate Town have also been credited with an interest in the teenager.
It remains to be seen at this stage what Forest’s exact plan is for him. They would have a big decision to make on where he should go if he is given the green light to depart.
Nottingham Forest man wanted
Gardner has been on the books at Nottingham Forest for his whole career to date.
He has risen up through the academy ranks at The City Ground and has been a regular for the Reds at various different youth levels.
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notts county, Notts County, Doncaster Rovers and Morecambe eye Premier League youngster
Image courtesy of: JOHN CLIFTON/REUTERS.
The prospect has played once for the first-team so far and initially broke into their Under-18’s before making the step up into the development squad.
Gardner has made 42 appearances for the latter and has chipped in with five goals and three assists.
He penned a contract extension back in December 2023 and Nottingham Forest’s Head of Academy Chris McGuane said: “We are equally delighted that Joe has decided to commit his future to the club and signed a new contract.
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“Joe is a talented player and a respected young man who deserves the opportunity to extend his time with us. We all look forward to continuing our journey with Joe in the years to come.”
What now?
Notts County could see Gardner as someone to bolster their attacking department. They are sat in 9th place in the table and are two points off the play-offs.
Doncaster Rovers are higher up in 3rd and are inside the top three along with Walsall and Port Vale. They drew 2-2 at home to Cheltenham Town last time out.
Meanwhile, Morecambe are in the drop zone and only Carlisle United separate them from the bottom of the league. The Shrimps were beaten 3-0 by Grimsby Town in their last fixture.
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