According to reports in The Nottingham Post, Nottingham Forest have drew up a shortlist of names to replace the departed Ben Brereton, who left to join Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan.
The initial loan deal which sees Nottingham Forest striker Ben Brereton join Blackburn Rovers, is said to be made permanent in the summer, and the club are looking to replace the youngster with experience.
A list of names have been drawn up to find the replacement for Brereton, with Karanka looking for a reunion with Middlesbrough striker Rudy Gestede. The former-Aston Villa and Blackburn man was signed by Karanka during his time at Boro, and it is believed the Forest manager wants to bring the Benin international to The City Ground.
The striker is currently nursing ankle injuries, which he sustained in pre-season with Middlesbrough, playing against Accrington Stanley, and is on his way back to full fitness. Gestede is still yet to feature in a competitive game this season, and this could be a determining factor in whether Karanka pursues a deal for the forward or not.
Other names on the list include former-Forest forward Nelson Oliviera, Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham and an ambitious move for 162 Premier League goal striker Jermaine Defoe, who currently plies his trade at Bournemouth, however it is unclear whether he would drop down a division.
Forest currently have summer signings Lewis Grabban and Hillal Soudani on their books, as well as veteran Daryl Murphy. Zach Clough and Apostolos Vellios are also still in and around the squad but have both been told they can leave the club.
