Nottingham Forest are reported to be among a host of clubs chasing ‘stunning’ Scottish centre-back Jamie McCart.
The 24-year-old St Johnstone defender has already been the subject of a rejected bid from Premiership rivals Hibs and, according to the Scottish Sun, is also wanted by five other clubs.
Forest, Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland are keen as well as Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, says the report.
They have clinched promotion back to Belgium’s top flight for the first time in 48 years and are “ready to pounce,” claims the article.
Hibs boss Jack Ross is a keen admirer of McCart, it says, but the Easter Road club’s opening bid, in the region of £200,000 was rejected.
But they are believed to be planning a second offer in an attempt to secure McCart’s services.
The player was a stand out for Callum Davidson’s men last season as the Saints claimed the League Cup and Scottish Cup.
McCart, who came through the youth ranks at Celtic, joined Saints from Inverness and signed a two-and-a-half-year deal in January 2020.
Now entering his final year of his contract, Davidson will be desperate to keep the nucleus of the double-winning side together.
Reds’ boss Chris Hughton is yet to make his first signing of the summer and is thought to be prioritising the front end of the pitch.
However, that doesn’t mean he won’t be looking to add competition at the back where he currently has Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna as his first choice centre-backs, with Tobias Figueiredo and Mbe Soh in reserve – the latter pair yet to make a real impression at the club.
There's been speculation, meanwhile, that Worrall could be sold this summer which would clearly make the position a priority.
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