Nottingham Forest are interested in Burnley's Ben Gibson, according to the Daily Record.

It is believed that the defender is being weighed up as an option if the club misses out on its number one target; Scott McKenna.

Aberdeen rejected a bid from Forest for the 22-year-old defender at the weekend but that has not deterred interest and it is believed that another offer is being prepared by the Midlands club.

Meanwhile, Ben Gibson is another centre-back who has found himself the topic of transfer speculation this summer, with Leeds previously reported to have taken an interest in the 26-year-old.

Burnley are supposedly open to offers for the former Boro man, who has made just one Premier League appearance since his £15m move to the club last summer.

It could take a considerable bid for Forest to land him, therefore, as The Clarets will look to recoup most if not all of the fee it took to lure him to Turf Moor - so he could be out of Forest's price range.

However, Gibson has three years remaining on his current deal and Sean Dyche will still be hoping he can prove to be a success in Burnley colours, which means he could be allowed to leave on loan in order to recapture some form.

The Verdict

This would be a brilliant move by Forest as they would allow Gibson to rediscover his best form through regular game time, and at his best he would perhaps be the best defender in the Championship.

He was a key player in the Middlesbrough sides which challenged and eventually achieved promotion from the Championship in 2016, and he would add experience and a winning mentality to a Forest squad sorely lacking in those attributes.

Even a loan signing would help Forest to move in the right direction, and would certainly enhance their play-off chances, so it is a move they should pursue ahead of McKenna.