Nottingham Forest are ready to double the wages of Manchester City star Rico Lewis to convince him to join the club, GIVEMESPORT correspondent Ben Jacobs has reported.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side have had a quiet transfer window up until this week, and the Reds are now pushing to bolster their squad with the imminent arrivals of James McAtee, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Omari Hutchinson.
But it has now emerged that McAtee isn't the only Englishman that Forest are looking at taking from the Etihad Stadium, with Lewis a big target.
Nottingham Forest Want Rico Lewis
Manchester City full-back Rico Lewis in action
Lewis, who Pep Guardiola has described as an "exceptional player", has dropped down the pecking order this summer and is behind the likes of Matheus Nunes at right-back, while a number of midfielders have joined too.
Now Forest are keen to offer him an escape route, and it's understood that the Tricky Trees are willing to offer him double his money to convince him to make the switch.
Lewis currently earns around £25,000-a-week at City, and is said to be considering the move, with Forest now set to play in the Europa League following Crystal Palace's failed appeal at their demotion.
Talks are ongoing between City and Forest over a potential deal, with the move first brought up during talks for McAtee, which have now been finalised.
The 20-year-old has already played for the England senior team and will want regular first-team football to try and force his way into the World Cup squad for next year under Thomas Tuchel. Last season he made 40 appearances for City, registering two goals and five assists in the process.
Should he make the move to Nottingham then Lewis would be competing with Ola Aina for the right-back position, while a number of midfielders are also already at the club which could stop him playing in that role. He is also capable of playing at left-back, with Neco Williams the only option on that side currently.
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