According to the latest reports from the Sun, Newcastle United are interested in making a January move for Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall. The defender has come up from Nigel Doughty Academy at Forest and has so far played a stellar role in defence which sees them sit on the second spot in the Championship.
Reports from the Sun mention that Worrall contract runs out in the summer, but Nottingham Post has revealed that the 22-year-old is contracted to stay at the club until 2022. Worrall has managed to turn the tide under new manager Sabri Lamouchi. Last season, the centre back was sent on loan to Scottish giants Rangers as former manager Aitor Karanka didn’t rate him much.
Worrall has gone on to prove his former manager wrong as he has managed to establish himself in the playing eleven and has so far played a stellar role in the Championship. Bruce reportedly wants a budget defender in January to bolster his options at the back and Worrall has seemingly caught the eye.
However, the 22-year-old is unlikely to come in cheap as Burnley made a £10m bid for him in 2018 which was rejected. The Englishman has been rated heavily by some, and his current form suggests that he would be unlikely to leave with his team challenging for promotion.
Moreover, Worrall is known to be an out and out Tricky Trees fan as he had once said to BBC (As cited by the Sun), ” I’m committed to Forest. Everybody knows I’m a fan. I love playing for the club and don’t want to leave.”
Does Bruce need centre backs?
It is surprising to see United wanting a new centre back as that is one area where they have a decent amount of alternatives. Jamaal Lascelles and Paul Dummett have looked off-colour, but they are still suitable options. Moreover, Ciaran Clark showed against Manchester United recently that he can do a top job in defence even though he has been ignored for quite a while. Once Florian Lejeune returns from his long term injury troubles, Bruce should have a decent number of defenders to choose from.
Will Worrall be a good signing?
The Englishman spent the last season at Rangers, and he soon went on to become their first choice defender. Worrall might look defensively solid, but he has a moment of rashness in him. He is a physical and robust defender, but he needs to be given more time in the Championship before United decide to snap him up.
