Nottingham Forest are said to have made an attempt to prise teenager Festy Ebosele from arch-rivals Derby County.
The versatile 19-year-old was in the Rams’ starting line-up on Saturday, but was brought off after an hour as Steve Cooper’s Reds clinched a 2-1 win at the City Ground.
The youngster, who can play at full-back and on the wing, is out of contract in the summer and is said to have a number of teams monitoring him.
According to a report in the Mail on Sunday, he “rejected a move” to Forest after a £500,000 bid was made.
It is claimed he also has interest from teams in the Premier League and Serie A.
The Reds have previously been rebuffed in their efforts to sign left-back Lee Buchanan from crisis-hit Derby this month.
Head coach Cooper has made three signings so far since the window opened, bringing in striker Keinan Davis, centre-back Steve Cook and full-back Richie Laryea.
Forest are still hoping to get further business done in the final week of January, though, with wingers Jed Wallace, of Millwall, and Blackpool’s Josh Bowler being targeted.
Goals from Lewis Grabban and Brennan Johnson secured three points on the banks of the Trent at the weekend, making it back-to-back league wins for the hosts.
They are now four points below the play-off places ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Barnsley.
Asked if any deals were close to being done, Cooper said last week: “There’s nothing imminent, going in or out.
“I don’t know what gets written, because that’s not something I put attention to.
“But if there has been anything, I can assure you I’m not aware of it - and I’d like to think I would be! I’m pretty sure I would be.”
