Nottingham Forest are ready to hand wide forward Connor Mahoney an instant return to the Championship after he suffered relegation with Blackburn, according to HITC Sport.
The report states Forest are leading the race to sign the 20-year-old winger who is out of contract at Ewood Park, with his current deal set to expire on June 30.
It is believed that Mark Warburton’s side are primed to steal a march on their rivals to sign Mahoney, although they will have to pay a compensation fee as he is under the age of 24.
However, the two-time European champions will have to move quickly for the one-time England Under-18 international as a number of Championship clubs are said to be after his signature.
Mahoney has impressed since moving across Lancashire from Accrington Stanley in December 2013 to Blackburn, making his debut for Tony Mowbray’s side as a 16-year-old in January 2014.
Blackburn’s number 28 has gone on to make 21 senior appearances for Blackburn but is yet to find the back of the net and failed to provide the spark needed to prevent Blackburn from suffering relegation.
Former Rangers boss Warburton survided relegation by the skin of his teeth with Forest, finishing on the same points as Blackburn but with a goal difference that was just two strikes better than Mahoney’s side.
Should he be brought to the City Ground, Mahoney would rival the likes of Ben Osborn, Mustapha Carayol, Matty Cash and Gboly Ariyibi on the flanks.