Elliot Anderson's future at the City Ground is in major doubt, and Nottingham Forest are plotting a move for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles as a replacement.
Anderson is starting to look like a shoo-in to start for England at the upcoming World Cup, having formed a consistent partnership with Declan Rice in the centre of midfield, but having caught the eye for club and country, the 23-year-old's future at Forest is in doubt.
According to reporter Ben Jacobs, it is now likely the former Newcastle United man will be playing for either Manchester City or Manchester United at the start of next season, having been identified as a priority target by both clubs.
Of course, Evangelos Marinakis managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat by agreeing a new contract with Morgan Gibbs-White last summer, so there is still a chance Anderson remains at the City Ground beyond the end of the season.
However, the Tricky Trees have already started looking at replacements for the central midfielder, and they are now eyeing a move for a Championship star.
Forest plotting move for Shea Charles
Mick Brown has now revealed Forest are keen to snap Southampton midfielder Charles up this summer, with the former scout telling Football Insider: "Nottingham Forest are one of the clubs looking at him because they want a new midfielder.
shea-charles-nothern-ireland
"He’s one of a few who have been on their radar, but they’ve been keeping tabs on his performances and I’m sure they like what they’ve seen.
"If Southampton don’t get promoted or even miss out on the playoffs, he could move on because he’s ready for the step up to the Premier League."
The midfielder is regarded as a replacement for Anderson, who is set to leave this summer, amid interest from some top Premier League sides.
Shea Charles price tag rising after FA Cup heroics
Southampton defied all the odds to book their place in the FA Cup semi-final, defeating Premier League leaders Arsenal 2-1 at St. Mary's, and Charles was the hero, bagging a winner in the 85th minute.
Following the Northern Irishman's all-important goal against the Gunners, it emerged the Saints are set to demand £20m this summer, which should be affordable for Forest, given that Anderson could fetch a huge fee.
The Southampton star is slightly younger than Anderson, at just 22-years-old, and he is also experienced at international level, collecting 33 caps for Northern Ireland.
Of course, the hope will be that Anderson remains a Forest player beyond the summer, but if he does depart, Charles, who has been lauded as having "frightening" ability by Conor Washington, could be a solid replacement.
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