Callum Hudson-Odoi is among the names said to be on Nottingham Forest's radar this summer.
The Reds need to strengthen in a number of areas if they are to push on in the Premier League next term. And the Chelsea winger is among the players to have been linked as Forest look to bolster their attacking threat.
It has been a quiet start to the window at the City Ground, with a lack of ins and outs so far. Now the players have returned for pre-season, the transfer activity is expected to ramp up in the coming weeks.
Might Hudson-Odoi be among those to make the move? We take a look at his situation and what’s been said so far.
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Career to date
The 22-year-old came up through the ranks at Stamford Bridge, having joined Chelsea in 2007. He made his first-team debut as a substitute in an FA Cup victory over Newcastle United in January 2018.
He has made more than 120 appearances for the Blues in all competitions and scored 16 goals. The youngster also has an impressive list of medals, having won the Champions League, Europa League, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
Injury has hampered him at times, however. And he spent last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, where he featured 21 times and found the net once.
Having represented his country at various youth levels, he was part of Forest head coach Steve Cooper’s England Under-17s set-up. He has been capped three times at senior level.
Price tag and other interest
Chelsea are said to be ready to listen to offers for Hudson-Odoi. The Athletic have suggested a transfer fee is yet to be agreed. However, previous reports claimed the London club want £10-15 million for the wide man as they look to raise some cash.
The player has a year left on his contract, and it seems he would have his pick of possible destinations. In addition to Forest, West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Lazio, Fulham and AC Milan have been linked, while two clubs from Saudi Arabia reportedly made an approach last month.
Player’s stance
Ever since news of clubs being interested in Hudson-Odoi emerged, it has been indicated he will move on this summer. And the likelihood is it will be on a permanent basis as he seeks regular game time.
The latest report by The Athletic states Hudson-Odoi has “decided to leave” Chelsea as new head coach Mauricio Pochettino looks to put his stamp on the squad. It was said the player would report for the first day of pre-season training this week but does not expect to be with the Blues “much longer”.
The Cooper factor
Reds legend Garry Birtles has said his former club should have no trouble attracting players this summer - not least because of the job Cooper has done. It is a point which could be especially relevant in the case of Hudson-Odoi.
"People will want to come here because of what Steve Cooper has done. They can see it's a happy well run club. I go back to Chelsea and it's mediocre,” Birtles said back in May.
"If you get it right off the pitch you'll get it right on the pitch. Steve Cooper, I can't speak highly enough of him. He's been inspirational to everyone in Nottingham.
"We aren't a massive city. For him to do what's done has been unbelievable. Everyone wrote us off but it was fully deserved that we stayed up."
Reds fans’ verdict
Forest supporters were quick to give their verdict when talk of Hudson-Odoi being on the club’s radar emerged. Here’s a selection of what was said…
@ForestAdam3 : This narrative of CHO being injury prone is nonsense, he's missed 353 days in his whole career and 143 days were the same injury, he's missed 6 Games this season, he's not injury prone, he has an Achilles issue we need to be aware of but it's no reason to not sign him
@dannyJPwetton : Well Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi were part of Cooper front 3 when he won the u17 World Cup with England... Just saying. I’d 100% have him at Forest!
@BenHarries : Achilles tendon rupture in 2019, more issues with it a year ago. I hope he's fully recovered, but looks like he needs to be in a squad situation.
@hadersmck : 100% - in todays market £10M isn’t a lot. Still only 22 and has 72 appearances for Chelsea. Still developing and Cooper has a track record of improving young players.
@SideShowBob78 : Cooper will get the very best of him soon enough
