Former Rangers loanee Joe Worrall has returned to Nottingham Forest after a proposed £15m move to Premier League new boys Brentford hit the skids.
The 24-year-old is back at the City Ground after the Bees turned their attentions to Celtic stopper Kris Ajer, who will complete a £13.5m deal plus add-ons imminently.
It's a blow for Worrall who appeared primed to join Brentford following his best season to date with Forest.
The Englishman previously spent the 2018/19 season under Steven Gerrard at Rangers where he made 32 appearances in all competitions.
Ajer became Brentford's top target over the past week but it had appeared Worrall would be the man who would earn a chance in the Premier League.
However, he played 62 minutes as the Championship side made it three wins from three in pre-season as they beat League Two Northampton 2-0 on Tuesday.
And Forest boss Chris Hughton admits he doesn't expect his key contributor to heading out the exit door imminently after seeing a move to London fall through.
He said: "I don’t think so. We’ve got some players who haven’t been involved who you know about. There are perhaps possibilities for them to move on.
“But at this moment, from this group here, no, I don’t think so.”
Brentford have moved quickly to secure a deal for Ajer with the Norway international linked with a host of clubs including Leverkusen who believed they were in the driving seat to secure his signature.
