Significant progress has been made with Ben Osborn’s move to Sheffield United - and the final details of his departure from Nottingham Forest should be finalised within the next 24 hours.
Nottinghamshire Live understands that the deal is close to completion and that the versatile midfielder’s move to the Premier League should be concluded in the near future.
The Reds are understood to have rejected an initial offer of £3m for the 24-year-old, but the Blades have put a fresh bid on the table.
It is not clear how much those terms have been improved by but, with one year left to run on his contract, Forest are aware that they are vulnerable to the prospect of losing him for nothing at the end of the season.
While the player himself is, understandably, keen to take the opportunity to test himself in the top flight, with the newly promoted Yorkshire club - and was wary of signing a new deal, on that basis.
Osborn came on as a late substitute against Crystal Palace on Friday, as Sabri Lamouchi’s side notched up an encouraging 1-0 win.
He did appear to offer a few waves to the City Ground faithful after the final whistle , but Lamouchi was, at that point, still hopeful of retaining the services of the player.
“He is still part of the squad. It is only you in the media that talk about him going!” said Lamouchi. “He has a very good attitude. He is very positive and very professional.
“I cannot complain about him at all. I do not understand why anyone would want him to leave. He is very polite and very professional. He could be a good help for the team.”
Osborn has been a versatile first team regular at the City Ground under a succession of managers and has made 194 starts and 36 sub appearances for the Reds, since making his debut under Gary Brazil, at Ipswich in March 2014.
