Four clubs are said to have shown an interest in Nottingham Forest youngster Jake Taylor, with the midfielder likely to leave in the January transfer window.
Taylor is back with the Reds after being recalled from his spell at Scunthorpe United, but his agent believes Forest are looking to sell rather than send him out on loan again.
Port Vale, where the 22-year-old spent last season, are keen - despite John Askey losing his job as manager earlier this week - and Grimsby Town are also said to be interested.
Vale have said transfer deals can continue under interim boss Danny Pugh, and Taylor has an affinity for the club, which could count in their favour.
“He had a fondness for John (Askey) but has a fondness for the football club in general and how Carol (owner Carol Shanahan) runs it,” Taylor’s agent Phil Sproson told StokeonTrentLive.
“He has always said to me, let’s see what Port Vale say.
“Vale were the first club I contacted once I knew from Forest what they wanted to do.
“Since then there have been four clubs that have shown a genuine interest, two of which want to meet and two of which… I know it’s ongoing.
“So, it is totally in Vale’s hands.”
Taylor scored seven goals in 25 appearances during his spell at Vale last term, while he featured 14 times for Scunthorpe before being recalled.
Sproson believes Forest would ask for a significant sell-on clause, rather than a large fee up front, when it comes to agreeing a move for the player.
