Watford are said to have placed a £2m price tag on the head of Nottingham Forest loanee Philip Zinckernagel.
But it seems the Dane’s future is unclear, after he helped the Reds secure promotion to the Premier League. And it may be some time before his parent club outline their plans for the midfielder.
Zinckernagel has spent the season on loan at the City Ground, becoming key to the way the team have played under head coach Steve Cooper. He capped off a fine campaign with a 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town at Wembley on Sunday which ended Forest’s 23-year exile from the top-flight.
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Making the step up means a big summer transfer window for Cooper, as he looks to put together a squad capable of surviving at the next level. Trying to keep the majority of this year’s group together will likely be part of that.
To sign Zinckernagel on a permanent basis would cost about £2m, according to the Daily Mirror. However, the Hornets’ relegation to the Championship may affect whether they will be prepared to let him go.
The Watford Observer says the club are “aware of what he could offer” in the second tier, given it is his second promotion in two years since moving to England. It is claimed a decision will be made over “whether or not he is worth more to Watford than the money Forest would be willing to pay”.
The Reds may have to wait a while for an answer. The Observer add new head coach Rob Edwards wants to “evaluate his available options”. However, “contact will continue between his representatives and the two clubs”.
Zinckernagel joined the Hornets from Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt on a five-and-a-half-year deal in January 2021. Asked about his future, he has previously said: “I haven’t really thought about it, to be fair. I try to stay as much as I can in the moment, being at Forest and be the best of myself here, and then maybe take a decision after the season.
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“I guess it kind of depends what happens to Forest and what happens to Watford as well. But the plan is obviously I’ll go back to Watford, that’s where I have a contract, that’s where I am being paid and where I’m supposed to be. But I haven’t thought too much about it.
“I always try to show the best of myself. In football, you never know. You can’t really go out and play and think you are safe somewhere. You’ve always got to perform and show your level, otherwise there will be players taking your spot.
“At the same time, I’m just trying to help Forest get into the top-six and the Premier League. That’s my goal right now, and then we’ll see what’s going to happen in the summer.”
