Nottingham Forest could potentially face a dilemma over club captain Joe Worrall due to the player’s contract situation at the City Ground.
The centre-back has started six of Forest’s seven games in the Premier League this season, coming off the bench for last week’s 3-2 loss against Fulham. He was also a key player in the club’s promotion to the Premier League last season, making a total of 46 appearances in all competitions.
His performances in central defence led to some speculation over the player’s future before the Reds made it back to the Premier League via the play-offs. East midlands rivals Leicester City were credited with an interest in the 25-year-old back in May, while West Ham United were also linked with the player .
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Forest’s promotion to the Premier League at the end of the season put an end to any speculation linking the player with a move away from the City Ground. Interest from clubs could potentially be revived next summer, though, even if Forest maintain their Premier League status.
That’s due to Worrall’s contract situation at the club. By the time next summer comes around, the defender will have just one year remaining on his deal at the City Ground, should he not agree to a new contract before then.
As is the case of players with deals in the final year, it could mean that his value next summer is lower than in previous transfer windows. Forest could be forced to take a smaller fee than they would have expected previously instead of losing the player for nothing just 12 months later, or they could opt to sell in January when the price would potentially be higher.
That could especially be the case should Forest be relegated at the end of the season. Premier League clubs will have then seen how the player has coped in the top division, with him having built up a year’s experience in playing against the best players, which would make him potentially more attractive to any interested clubs.
There is of course one way in which Forest could avoid the situation, in getting Worrall to sign a new contract with the club before next summer’s transfer window. In that case, even if they were relegated at the end of the season, the club would be in a strong negotiating position should any clubs come calling.
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