Premier League side West Ham United are reportedly eyeing up a move for Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall if the Reds fail to achieve promotion to the Premier League.
Forest face Huddersfield Town at Wembley Stadium this weekend (Sunday 4pm) looking to return to the top flight after more than 20 years away. Worrall, 25, has been at the club since 2011 and has progressed up the youth teams to become Steve Cooper's captain. The defender enjoyed a loan spell at Dagenham & Redbridge in 2016 before drastically improving at Scottish side Rangers for the 2018/19 campaign.
The defender has made 182 appearances for the Reds and became a key player in Nottingham under Sabri Lamouchi. After starting every league game of the 2019/20 campaign, his importance to Forest under Cooper has increased, playing a pivotal part within Cooper's back three alongside Steve Cook and Paul McKenna.
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According to the Evening Standard, the Hammers are lining up a move for the centre-back should Forest not gain promotion to the Premier League. David Moyes is said to be keen to bring in at least one centre-back this transfer window after a string of injury problems in that area this season.
West Ham have four centre-backs already, but injuries to Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna and Issa Diop left Moyes with only Craig Dawson as the only recognised central defender in the latter part of the season.
Leicester City and Fulham are amongst the clubs who are also linked with a move for Worrall. However, it is expected that Worrall will not be sold should Forest end their 23-year exile from the top flight.
Worrall isn't the only Forest player attracting interest from Premier League clubs. Brennan Johnson has attracted interest from Brentford, with Leicester - among others - also reported to be keen.
