Nottingham Forest have issued a hands-off warning over defender Joe Worrall, following speculation linking him with an exit from the club.
Talking in his pre-match press conference, Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi has slammed the door shut on any possible deal being done for Worrall this month.
It was first reported in the print version of the Daily Mirror in late November, as cited by The 72, that Everton were keeping tabs on the Forest centre-back, with the Toffees keen on strengthening in that department this month.
Everton have just Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina to choose between to start at the back this season, and should injury strike any of the trio, the club could be put in a pressured position.
Mirror Sport’s report (via The 72) report claimed in November that Everton had been sending regular scouts to watch Worrall as they had identified the 22-year old as having potential to succeed, while Arsenal and Newcastle were both also said to be interested.
Talking in his pre-match press conference, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, Lamouchi closed the door on an exit for the young centre-back, saying:
No way. With me, it is impossible… We are here to try to achieve a dream all together.
Don’t talk to me about money, don’t talk to me about challenge – Joe Worrall is from Forest. We started a job together and I will never give permission to do that (sell the player).
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As defensive responses go, this seems to be a fairly cut and dry case of a manager not wanting to give interested clubs any hope that they might be able to strike a deal.
Worrall has started every one of Forest’s 25 Championship games this season (WhoScored), with the Tricky Trees currently in fourth place and fighting to remain in the play-offs come the end of the season.
Given their current league position, and with Forest having not played Premier League football since 1999, it stands to reason that the club may not be prepared to lose a player who has played such a pivotal role in their successful run in the Championship this season, as they attempt to return to the English top flight.
Everton have been linked with a number of other defensive targets this month, such as Merih Demiral (Telegraph Sport) , Daniele Rugani (Calciotoday via Ninety Minutes Online) and Lucas Verissimo (UOL) just this past week. Rugani in particular would be the better option in my view, as his lack of game time this season could make it easier to tempt him with a Premier League switch, while Rugani’s capability to offer quality in both defence and offence would make him a valued addition to the squad as another defender who can pose a goal threat from set pieces. (WhoScored).
Following Lamouchi’s defiant comments making a prospective deal for Worrall appear unlikely, the Toffees would be better off exploring other alternative targets.
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