The Mirror reports that Newcastle United will make a move for highly-rated Nottingham Forest attacker Ben Osborn should the Magpies clinch promotion back into the Premier League this season. Rafa Benitez supposedly tried to sign the 22-year-old in the January transfer window.
Despite the managerial changes at the City Ground in recent seasons, Osborn has established himself as one of the first men on the teamsheet. So much so, he has attracted many admirers in the Sky Bet Championship and above, headlined by Newcastle. He remains under contract with the club for a further three years.
Osborn, who can play either out wide or in a number ten role, has made 39 appearances this season, most recently in Tuesday’s 3-2 home defeat to Brentford. His last goal came last weekend as Forest dismantled Newcastle’s title rivals Brighton 3-0 at the City Ground.
It wouldn’t be the first time Newcastle looked towards the Nottinghamshire club to enhance their squad. First choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow and captain Jamaal Lascelles both made that move a few years ago.
With just ten games remaining in the season, Newcastle sit top of the table, three points ahead of Brighton and a further nine points in front of third-placed Huddersfield Town, who still harbour serious ambitions to finish in the top two this year. Benitez was disappointed not to add to his squad in Osborn’s position a few months ago, with Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend said to be close to returning to the club, only for that to fall through. Clearly this is still an area the ex-Real Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea manager wishes to improve, if they are in the Premier League next season or not.
