Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien is edging towards a loan move to the MLS.
The 24-year-old has been in limbo since a January deadline day switch to Blackburn Rovers collapsed. But the Reds are understood to be hopeful of securing a deal for O'Brien to head to America, with talks in progress and DC United a possibility.
O’Brien had been due to join Championship side Rovers for the rest of the season, in a deal which would also include a purchase clause should promotion be achieved. An issue over the timing of the paperwork being filed before the window closed meant the move was not approved by the English Football League. Blackburn challenged the decision, but an independent arbitrator rejected their claim.
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The summer signing was left out of the Reds’ 25-man Premier League squad for the second half of the campaign, leaving him facing the prospect of not playing competitively for the next few months. He is understood to be keen to play, and has continued to train with the Forest first-team squad.
Last week, head coach Steve Cooper again blasted Rovers for “letting down” O’Brien. He said: “The lad has been completely let down and so have we in a way, because we agreed Lewis could go and play somewhere else - which I wasn't 100 percent in favour of but I understand where he was and what he wanted to do, so we made the decision that he could go. He had a lot of offers, as you can imagine.
“He made the choice and then it didn't get through and he has been let down. I personally, and I know nobody from the sporting side, has heard a word from Blackburn, whether that is an explanation or an apology. I don't think we would behave like that.
“As I said straight after the transfer window, we won't let Lewis down. Others might, but we won't.
“We are working on trying to find something that fits for him. There are still some options around the world, although they are limited. Lewis and his guys are working with Filippo (Giraldi, sporting director) on seeing what that is.
“For me, my day to day is working with Lewis on the training ground. He is part of the training group and we love having him around. It is just a pity that he has been let down.
“The MLS is an option. I hope he gets somewhere, he deserves it.”
O’Brien joined the Reds in the summer from Huddersfield Town. He has made 17 appearances in the Garibaldi, last featuring as a substitute against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.
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