Nottingham Forest are interested in signing left-back George Friend from Middlesbrough, a report from Football Insider has claimed.
Friend is currently out of contract with Middlesbrough after eight years with the club, during which time he has made 299 appearances in all competitions for ‘Boro.
While he has reportedly been offered a new deal to keep him at The Riverside Stadium beyond this summer, it seems the 32-year-old also has options from elsewhere in the Championship.
According to the latest reports, Forest are keen on the possibility of signing the defender, although they are not alone in their attempts to take Friend away from Teeside, with Swansea and Birmingham also said to be considering a move for the experienced full-back, who is valued at £540,000 by Transfermarkt.
Would George Friend be a good signing for Forest?Yes
No
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It is thought that the contract offered to Friend by ‘Boro would see him take a pay cut from his most recent deal, despite his status as club captain, although it remains to be seen what impact that could have on any decision Friend makes on his future.
This is an interesting deal for Forest to consider, and you wonder just what sort of an influence Friend could have on the club were he to make the move to The City Ground.
On the one hand, his experience at this level could certainly be useful for Forest, and the amount of interest there is in him does imply there is a sense he still has something to offer at this level at least.
However, at 32-years-old, Friend is likely to be approaching the latter stages of his career by now, meaning he is unlikely to be a solution to any issues in the side for any extended period of time, meaning you could understand some questions arising about the long-term ambitions of this deal were it to happen.
