Opinion: Nottingham Forest should sign £30k-per-week West Bromwich Albion man

Martin O’Neill is expected to bring a winger to the City Ground this summer to add some much-needed creativity. Ben Osborn and Matty Cash have been short of goals and assists for Nottingham Forest in 2019 and may not be trusted to start the season on either flank.

With the Reds being short on wingers in the squad, O’Neill could look to bring at least one player in the opposite direction and that should be Oliver Burke. The 22-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at West Bromwich Albion and has an uncertain future this summer.

The £30k-per-week man struggled for form and playing time at the Hawthorns in 2018/19 which led to him being loaned out to Celtic. Burke made 19 appearances for the Hoops, scoring three goals, and lost his place in the side from February onwards – five Premiership starts in the last three months of the season.

Forest should capitalise on the situation by bringing their former player back to the East Midlands, but it may have to be on loan rather than as a permanent deal. West Brom spent £15m in 2017 for Burke, so Forest may have to sell players to raise the funds necessary.

Crippy Cooke’s previous article