Nottingham Forest are close to agreeing a deal for Arsenal youngster Jordi Osei-Tutu as their summer recruitment takes another step forward.
Full-back is an area where Reds boss Chris Hughton has been particularly short of options, and Osei-Tutu’s arrival, set to be on loan with a medical expected to take place this afternoon (Tuesday), would go some way to helping with that.
But the right side of defence remains a position where there are plenty of questions to be answered - not least what the future holds for Jordan Gabriel.
Bids remain on the table for the Nigel Doughty Academy product, from Sunderland and from Blackpool, where he had a successful spell on loan last season.
The Seasiders are understood to be particularly keen to get the youngster on a permanent basis, after he helped them secure promotion to the Championship.
It seems unlikely the Reds would allow Gabriel to leave without bringing in another right-back, as his departure would leave them down to one again.
But in addition to Osei-Tutu, Forest are also understood to have also been monitoring Chelsea youngster Dujon Sterling, who has had loan spells at Coventry City and Wigan Athletic. The 21-year-old is believed to have been a consideration for the Reds.
Whether they target two relatively inexperienced defenders from Premier League sides remains to be seen, though - particularly as both Osei-Tutu and Sterling would likely want regular game time.
Carl Jenkinson, a former Gunner himself, remains on the club’s books, but has been told he is free to move on - albeit Gaetan Bong was in the same situation before being drafted back into the fold amid a crisis at left-back.
Hughton has also suggested Loic Mbe Soh would be capable of playing at right-back, as he has on the left side of the defence.
Bringing in Osei-Tutu would make it three summer signings so far for Forest, but it may not be the end of their right-back dilemma.
