Joe Lolley’s outstanding form has led to him being linked with a move away from Nottingham Forest, with West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City reportedly keen on his signature. The Reds have no desire to let Lolley leave, but Aitor Karanka should consider a swap deal with Albion’s Oliver Burke just in case the worst should happen. Only 41% of the fans polled on Twitter agree with our suggestion, however.
Nottingham Forest fans, would you welcome a return for Oliver Burke if you were resigned to losing Joe Lolley in January? #NFFC
— Crippy Cooke (@CrippyCooke) December 2, 2018
The 21-year-old has been short of playing time since making the 2017-move from RB Leipzig, amassing only 38 minutes of Championship football this season. Burke may be short of match fitness due to his lengthy spell of inactivity, but he’d be a good replacement on the right-wing if Forest lost their bid to keep Lolley.
The 26-year-old has scored and created 12 goals in 16 Championship starts under Karanka this season, helping Forest go fifth in the table after a seven-game unbeaten run. Lolley is regarded as one of the best players in the second tier and could find himself headhunted by a Premier League club as a result.
Burke contributed nine goals in 31 appearances during his first stint at Forest, earning himself a move to Leipzig in 2016. But his career has since spiralled and he can’t get a game in the Championship. With Albion keen on Lolley, who is worth considerably more than Burke currently, could Forest request a cash-plus player deal?
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Aitor Karanka ‘surprised’ by Nottingham Forest man who ‘has settled in really well’
