Nottingham Forest are going to go in search of new players this summer, with Omari Hutchinson on the list of potential targets.
It feels like a strange link for Forest to target the Ipswich Town performer, given that he did have a release clause earlier this summer.
Brentford tried to activate that clause earlier in the window, but given they didn’t want to pay the £35 million upfront, the deal was rejected by the Championship outfit.
If Forest do get Hutchinson over the line, the team would be well set in the attacking third with the England under-21 player adding a left-footed element to the current crop.
Hutchinson spent the summer helping England under-21s win the European Championships and one pundit was seriously impressed with him at the competition.
Nottingham Forest FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League
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What Joe Hart said about Forest-linked Omari Hutchinson
Hart raved about Anderson at the European under-21 Championship and he ultimately is a big fan of a host of players from that squad, including Hutchinson.
After the semi-final clash, Hart said: “He’s given everything. His spark has gone a bit, but that’s doing him a disservice. He was really, really good in the opening stages, he’s been excellent in all of the games he’s played.”
Last season, Hutchinson was part of the Ipswich team that fought against relegation until the closing stages of the campaign before succumbing to an instant Premier League return.
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David Ornstein said that Forest had seen a bid of £35 million rejected for Hutchinson, and now it’s not clear whether or not the Reds will return.
Hutchinson would be a risky signing
Make no bones about it, Hutchinson would be a player with a nice profile and at 21, he could definitely improve as a player.
However, given that he only scored three goals and grabbed two assists last season, he would absolutely represent a risk given the money that Ipswich want to recoup.
Hutchinson will be part of the Tractor Boys’ squad on Friday as they kick off the Championship campaign against Birmingham City.
Whether Forest go back with a second bid remains to be seen but it does feel like a deal where the Reds should be careful to avoid overpaying.