The agent of Nottingham Forest midfielder Jake Taylor, Phil Sproson, has claimed that a number of League One and League Two were interested in the 21-year-old in January, and has hinted that that interest could arise again when the transfer window reopens.

Taylor has spent this season on-loan in League Two with Port Vale, scoring seven goals in 25 appearances in all competitions for the club, and it seems they could be one of the sides who make a fresh move for Taylor.

However, Sproson has suggested that Forest manager Sabri Lamouchi will want to make his own decision on the future of the midfielder, before agreeing to any potential departure for Taylor.

Speaking to The Stoke Sentinel about Taylor's future, and the possibility of a return to Port Vale, Sproson said: “The feeling at Forest is that, because of the goals Jake has scored, the manager has already said that he wants to have a look at him in pre-season.

“Until the manager has had a look at him over a little period, he won’t be going anywhere. But the manager might say let him go out again.

"Forest might say let him go to the Vale. I definitely wouldn’t rule it out but I think Forest will have a look at what Vale are doing."

Indeed, it seems Vale have put themselves in a strong position for a reunion should Taylor be allowed to leave The City Ground again, as Sproson continued: “But certainly Vale have looked after him really well and that has been recognised.

"The way they handled his car situation (providing a replacement after Taylor's was broken into) was exemplary. Also, Jake has a really strong rapport with John Askey, and the lads and the fans. He likes the club.”

Despite that, Vale may not be alone in their attempts to sign Taylor, and detailing that interest from elsewhere in the midfielder, Sproson revealed: “Lincoln did speak to me in January. There was Lincoln, Scunthorpe, Salford and there was Fleetwood who were all interested in loaning him until the end of the season.

“But it was felt he was probably better going back to the Vale because he was doing well.”

Taylor, who has yet to make a first-team appearance for Forest, has just over a year remaining on his current contract with the Championship club, securing his future at The City Ground until the end of next season.

The Verdict

This is an interesting one.

From a purely sentimental point of view, it could be argued that Taylor should return to Port Vale next season should the opportunity arise, given the strong relationship there appears to have been between the two parties.

On the other hand, there may be some who feel that having proved himself in League Two, Taylor may be better served stepping up to League One - where there also appears to be interest in him - next season, in order to continue his development, provided Forest even feel he needs another move away in the first place.