Nottingham Forest youngster Jake Taylor is understood to be set for a switch to Port Vale.
The 22-year-old was recalled from his loan at Scunthorpe United this month, and is now expected to leave the Reds on a permanent basis.
NottinghamshireLive understands the midfielder is set to put pen to paper on a long-term deal for Vale, where he had a successful spell on loan last season.
Four clubs were said to be keen on a January move for Taylor, including Grimsby Town.
But it is Vale who are understood to have won the race for his signature.
Taylor scored seven goals in 25 appearances during his time at the club last term, while he featured 14 times for Scunthorpe before being recalled.
The former Forest Under-23s player signed a new deal at the City Ground 12 months ago, which is due to run out this summer - although it is believed Forest had an option to extend that contract.
His agent, Phil Sproson, told StokeonTrentLive earlier this month he expected Taylor to leave the Reds in January, with a deal containing a sell-on clause rather than a large up-front fee.
And he said Vale were always likely to be frontrunners, should the midfielder move on.
“He had a fondness for John (Askey, former manager) but has a fondness for the football club in general and how Carol (owner Carol Shanahan) runs it,” Sproson said.
“He has always said to me, let’s see what Port Vale say.
“Vale were the first club I contacted once I knew from Forest what they wanted to do.
“Since then there have been four clubs that have shown a genuine interest, two of which want to meet and two of which… I know it’s ongoing.
“So, it is totally in Vale’s hands.”
Taylor joined Forest in 2015 having previously been in the academy at Manchester United.
