Arsenal eyeing deal for Championship ace after scouts watch star display

Arsenal are interested in securing a permanent deal for Nottingham Forest centre-back Joe Worrall in January, according to a report.

The 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Rangers, has returned to the east Midlands in impressive style having played in all 17 of his side’s games so far this term while keeping seven clean sheets in that time.

One such shutout came on Wednesday evening as Forest made it four Championship games without defeat as they smashed QPR 4-0 to move into fourth, five points off the automatic promotion places with a game in hand on top two Leeds United and West Brom.

According to Football Insider, Arsenal scouts were there to watch Worrall’s impressive performance and have now earmarked him as a potential January addition on a permanent deal.

The source says, however, that the centre-back’s recent rise has seen his valuation increase too, with the defender now worth considerably more than the £10m bid Forest rejected from Burnley for his services last year.

What’s more, it is claimed that Arsenal will struggle to land Worrall in January what with Forest entertaining serious promotion hopes under boss Sabri Lamouchi.

Worrall has played 75 times for Forest to date, chipping in with one goal and one assist in that time.

In other Arsenal news, Sevilla have reportedly met with the agent of midfielder Mohamed Elneny, who has been linked with a move to AC Milan.

 

 

The Egypt international has been linked with a move to the San Siro in recent weeks and the latest report from Calciomercato states that the player’s agent was in Sevilla on Wednesday for a meeting with Sevilla sporting director Monchi.

Elneny joined Besiktas on a season-long loan during the summer but had a tough start to life in Turkey, which included a red card on his debut and being handed a three-match ban.

He is unlikely to be able to force his way back into Arsenal’s plans if he does return to North London due to the options the Gunners have in midfield.