You can't fault Ben Osborn's Premier League ambitions, even if it creates a hole at Nottingham Forest

It looks like Ben Osborn will be leaving Nottingham Forest before the transfer window closes next month, with a move to Sheffield United looking increasingly likely.

If the 24-year-old does depart, it'll be a big loss to the club and one that will be tough to replace.

You’ll lose his energy, his desire to do well and his professionalism, he’s always tried to do the right thing.

Osborn, like any player in the Championship or below, you can’t deny them the chance to play at the top level, to play in the Premier League.

The goal of any sportsman or woman is to operate at the highest level so the chance of doing that for Osborn will be an exciting one.

I’m sure he’d have wanted to achieve that with Forest, but, ultimately, that has not been possible yet and with a year left on his contract, it gives the club and him a decision to make.

Your playing career is a relatively short one, so when a big opportunity comes and somebody wants to grab it, you have to applaud their ambition to test themselves.

Forest fall behind in Athens as Ben Osborn looks on (Intime Sports/NFFC)

To have that desire, to have that ambition – there’s nothing wrong with that, you just can’t stand in his way.

There’s no doubt about it that the club would want him to stay, and they may even offer him fresh terms in a bid to keep him.

Ultimately, however, it boils down to the wishes of a player who has never let the club down, who has always given his lot, although, that should be a given from any player.

For some reason, Ben has been one that has often split the opinion of supporters, seeing him come in for some heavy criticism.

It’s the modern day world, now, and it’s not something I’m a fan of.

At times there’s a lack of class and respect within the world, not just football and that’s half the problem.

Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi is keen to keep Osborn (INTIME SPORTS / Nottingham Forest)

Everyone wants instant success, it doesn’t work like that.

Ben has played more than 200 games for the club at such a young age under 11 different managers, so he clearly has something even if a few on the terraces disagree.

There’s little doubt that he’ll be a big loss to Forest, should he end up leaving the club. He does, however, deserve his shot at playing in the top flight.

Even if you don't rate him, and that's a fan's prerogative, he deserves respect for wearing the Forest colours with such pride.

He cares.

This week, Garry Birtles was in conversation with Barry Cooper