Nottingham Forest have been linked with a move for Scotland star John Souttar ahead of the January transfer window.
But they are not the only ones said to be keeping tabs on the Hearts man.
The defender has been in the spotlight this week after scoring for his country in their 2-0 victory over Denmark on Monday, and his future has also been attracting attention.
A host of Championship clubs are reportedly keen on the 25-year-old, including the Reds.
Football League World say Forest are “keen” on Souttar but “aren’t confident” of getting a deal done - not least because Stoke City “are in the driving seat” to secure his signature.
The Scottish Sun claim nine second tier sides are interested in the centre-back, with Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough listed as potential suitors, while Rangers and two MLS teams could also be in the reckoning.
Souttar will be out of contract next summer. It is said Hearts would love him to sign a new deal, but could let him leave for around £500,000 in January because of “how crucial he could be in generating prize money for next season”.
The former Dundee United man has been in good form for his club this season, bagging three goals in 11 appearances.
But the one he netted for Scotland at Hampden Park was particularly special.
After recovering from three Achilles’ tendon injuries, Souttar was making his first international appearance since being sent off against Israel in 2018. He played his key part in helping Steve Clarke’s side secure a seeded spot in the play-off semi-finals in their bid to reach next year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Clarke said afterwards: "John Souttar was the story of the night. I'm so happy for him. I gave him a big hug when he came off and I could have cried.
"Two years fighting back from the kind of injuries John had? To come back in the squad, he was made up."
Forest's Scott McKenna was a late substitute in that game.
The Reds have McKenna, Joe Worrall, Tobias Figueiredo, Loic Mbe Soh and Rodrigo Ely as centre-back options on the books.
Ely has yet to make his debut after signing in the summer, and along with Mbe Soh is currently sidelined with injury.
