Nottingham Forest look like being a main contender to rival Preston North End for the signing of Hearts defender John Souttar.
The Sun report that Forest are scouting Souttar ahead of a possible move.
Forest see Souttar as an ideal replacement for Joe Worrall if the Forest defender was to leave the City Ground.
Blackburn are described ads being ‘on the edge’ of the Souttar race with Forest preparing to make their move for the defender.
This is far from ideal for Preston, who are thought to be in the mix for Souttar.
The Daily Record claimed late in November that Preston have expressed an interest in signing Souttar.
It’s understood that his contract expires at the end of May and, with the player now inside the final six months of his deal.
That means Souttar can ben a pre-contract agreement to join another club on a free transfer for next season.
That may be what Preston are hoping for; after all, Patrick Bauer and Andrew Hughes are out of contract next summer and Sepp van den Berg will be back at Liverpool.
Souttar’s situation is one to keep an eye, but Forest may be a more likely destination than Preston given their finances.