Forest set to step up efforts to land Darren Pratley following Perch departure
NOTTINGHAM Forest will step up their efforts to sign highly-rated Swansea midfielder Darren Pratley, following the sale of James Perch to Newcastle United.
Perch signed for the Magpies yesterday after the Premier League club made a fresh bid for the versatile defender or midfielder.
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Darren Pratley
Forest had previously rejected an offer, believed to be in the region of £1.5m, for Perch during the January transfer window.
But he has now signed a four-year contract following his move for an undisclosed fee.
His versatility is one of the qualities which brought him to the attention of Newcastle boss Chris Hughton.
"James is a player I've admired for some time and it's great we've been able to secure his services," said Hughton. "I'm certain he'll prove to be a great addition to our squad."
Now, while the 24-year-old is preparing for life in the top flight, Forest are plotting his replacement. And they are preparing to redouble their efforts to secure the services of Pratley, who was the driving force behind Swansea's unsuccessful push for the play-offs.
The hard-working, box-to-box midfielder was a target for Forest during January but Swansea were unwilling to do business with promotion rivals at a critical stage of the season.
But, with the player believed to be keen on a potential move to the City Ground, Forest will be hoping to land him as an immediate replacement for Perch.
Forest are understood to have unsuccessfully bid £2m for the 25-year-old in January and are believed to be ready to test the Welsh club's resolve with a slightly improved offer.
Pratley scored seven goals for the Swans last season, in 33 starts and three sub appearances.
The departure of Swans manager Paulo Sousa to join Leicester City yesterday may smooth the way for Pratley's exit.
Forest are also still believed to be keen on Cardiff's attack-minded midfielder Peter Whittingham.
He has one year left on his contract with the Bluebirds and has already been the subject of a £1.75m bid from Burnley.
Nicky Shorey, the Aston Villa left-back, also remains a target.
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by Paul, Sheffield
Tuesday, July 06 2010, 6:33PM
“According to Birmingham local paper Shorey wants to stay in the Premiership and doesn't want to come to Nottingham. So we may have to look elsewhere or wait until the last minute to sign him if nobody else wants him, although West Ham are interested. So let's not start blaming Billy or David Pleat or anybody else just yet, if he won't come here nobody can force him to.”
by Mickey Finn, The Gutter Press
Tuesday, July 06 2010, 5:33PM
“Grim, the time to panic is when we start signing Crewe Alexander & Burton Albion rejects.”
by The Grim Reaper, Lower Brian Clough Stand
Tuesday, July 06 2010, 4:13PM
“When do we start panicking? Given the Acquisition Panels record - no signings in 2 consecutive Januarys but loads of signings last summer should we think it's still 6 weeks till the new season and that's plenty of time. Or only 6 weeks we're signing nobody.”
by John, Loughborough
Tuesday, July 06 2010, 3:16PM
“Mike, Long Eaton
Guess I was out of date re Billy Sharp - great signing for Doncaster Rovers, presuming it's completed. Played the lone striker role as well as any in the Championship last season.”
by give it a rest mate, ta........
Tuesday, July 06 2010, 3:01PM
“Isn't there another pie out there who will talk to mike about Ben Burgess”