This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Nottingham Forest are plotting a move for Brighton's Ryan Longman.
Reports from Football Insider have claimed that Chris Hughton's side are hoping to capitalise on his uncertain future with the 20-year-old forward having just 12 months remaining on his contract with the Premier League club.
Longman enjoyed an excellent loan spell with AFC Wimbledon last term where he scored nine goals in 51 appearances for the club - a tally which has showed that he's a player of genuine potential.
But would a permanent move to the City Ground be a good move for the player?
The team at FLW have their say...
Toby Wilding
I do think that this could be a smart signing for Forest if they are able to get it done.
Longman was impressive on loan in League One last season with AFC Wimbledon, showing he is capable of both finishing and creating chances at that level, despite his sides struggles in the battle against relegation.
As a result, you do feel as though he may now be ready to make the step up to the Championship to challenge himself at the next stage, and the chance to do so with a club with the size and reputation of Forest could certainly be tempting for the 20-year-old.
The fact that he has come through the ranks at a Premier League club such as Brighton also highlights the potential he possesses, and having seen the likes of Sammy Ameobi and Anthony Knockaert leave the City Ground this summer, the addition of a versatile attacker such as Longman could certainly be a useful addition for Forest.
With that in mind, you do feel as though this is a deal that could be a sensible one for Forest to try and pursue this summer.
Ben Wignall
I think this would be a really smart pick-up for Forest if they're able to tempt Brighton with a decent enough bid.
Forest have been down the route of signing experienced players in quite a lot of positions in recent years, and what they haven't done enough of is trying to pluck talented younger players from Premier League under-23 squads.
It can be a good way of making money down the line by targeting players who may feel that they won't get a chance with their current clubs and developing them to try and get them to the next level.
A pursuit of Longman would make sense as well - it was reported last month that Chris Hughton was looking at players from lower down the EFL to sign and Longman impressed for AFC Wimbledon on loan in League One last season, scoring eight times.
He's also quite versatile, playing more games as a striker last season than on the wing but his ability to play both positions shows that he could be a very useful option for Forest.
Jordan Rushworth
This has the makings of an ideal type of signing for Nottingham Forest to pursue this summer considering that Longman is a player that has a lot of potential and showed some impressive form during his loan spell with AFC Wimbledon in League One last term.
The 20-year-old is a player capable of adding goals to the side and that is something that Nottingham Forest will need more from in the midfield area next term. Longman might well be a good replacement for James Garner after he returned to Manchester United as a result.
Longman showed with his performance for Wimbledon that he is ready to now potentially make the step up to the Championship and to get the chance to show that he can perform to a consistent level in the English second tier next term. It is vital he does that to convince Brighton of his development.
Picking up sensible signings like this could be crucial to helping Chris Hughton get his side challenging for promotion to the Premier League next term. Longman is a player that Forest would be able to get a lot out of you feel and it would be an encouraging signing.
