Nottingham Forest received a huge boost in their pursuit of Manchester United midfielder James Garner after Stoke City closed in on the signing of Romaine Sawyers.
Stoke had been one of Forest's main rivals for Garner's signature but they are expected to wrap up the signing of the West Brom midfielder in the next 24 hours.
That move now looks to have ended Stoke's bid to land Garner who is set to leave United this summer for another loan spell to help further his development.
Forest remain hopeful of clinching the deal and Nottinghamshire Live understands that Garner is also keen on a return to the club where he spent a four-month loan spell last season.
Derby County are also interested in Garner with Rams boss Wayne Rooney keen on utilising his relationship with United to help bring him to the club.
But it is thought that Garner has his eyes on Forest where he became a huge favourite among the fans following a series of classy displays.
Forest are certainly in need of a much-needed boost in the transfer market to help ease the mounting pressure at the City Ground following another poor start to the season.
A 2-1 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers was their third straight loss in the Championship which sparked a series of boos both at half-time and the final whistle.
Chants of 'you don't know what you're doing' were also aimed at boss Chris Hughton during the clash against Tony Mowbray's side while sections of the support also chanted the name of Sabri Lamouchi, the club's previous manager.
Signing Garner would undoubtedly lift the fanbase who suffered a fresh setback in the transfer market today amid reports that Morgan Rogers, who had been tracked by Forest, is closing in on a season-long loan to Bournemouth.
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