Nottingham Forest chasing England U21 wonderkid and could offer outcast as part of transfer package

NOTTINGHAM FOREST have targeted Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney in a bid to sign more homegrown players.

Transfer boss Ross Wilson monitored the England Under-21 midfielder last week and Forest could move in January or next summer.

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Hackney, 21, has opted to play for the Three Lions despite winning Scotland Under-21 caps and appears to be on his way to the Premier League.

Forest’s Lewis O’Brien is on loan at Boro and could be part of a deal if they choose Hackney.

This comes after SunSport announced that the City Ground side would be back in line for Sunderland’s Tom Watson.

The 17-year-old winger was a target of Steve Cooper before signing an extended contract on Wearside earlier this month.

But the Premier League team are still hot on the trail of young English talent Watson – and could even try their luck in January.

Forest valued Watson at £300,000 in the last window but know his value has increased with his new contract.

The youngster has made just one senior appearance, coming on as a substitute for the Black Cats against Huddersfield Town last season.

But he has also impressed at youth level, scoring 13 goals in 34 appearances for Sunderland’s U18 team.

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Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ethan Horvath is angry at being left out of Cooper’s Premier League squad – and denied any chance of a loan deal.

The 28-year-old USA international from Forest helped Luton gain promotion in May but is unlikely to play football until January.

This comes after the Tricky Trees have already welcomed two big-name goalkeepers to the City Ground this summer.

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