According to Pete O’Rourke of the Football Insider, Sheffield United have ‘agreed a fee’ with Nottingham Forest for Ben Osborn. The 24-year-old is said to be ‘undergoing a medical’ and could be confirmed a Blade in the next 24 hours. The transfer fee is undisclosed, but it will be in excess of £3m and closer to £4m.
Osborn will be a loss to Forest. He’s made 230 appearances in all competitions for the Reds and was a regular under Aitor Karanka & Martin O’Neill last season. The left-winger is not irreplaceable, however. Osborn’s form fell off a cliff in 2019 (no goal since January 1, no assist since January 26) and Forest have wingers who provide much more of an attacking threat.
Sammy Ameobi and Albert Adomah were signed on free transfers this summer and will compete with the likes of Brennan Johnson, Joe Lolley, Arvin Appiah and Matty Cash for playing time. Forest making £4m for Osborn and signing good replacement players on a free transfer is impressive. Trusting Nigel Doughty Academy talent could be its own reward too.
If Osborn passes his medical, his transfer will be confirmed before too long.
