Derby County 20-year-old Lee Buchanan is reportedly top of Nottingham Forest's list of summer left-back targets with Chris Hughton confirming signing a player at the position is a priority.

Following Max Lowe's move to Sheffield United last summer, Buchanan had a breakthrough season in 2020/21 and looks likely to be a mainstay in the Rams side this season – assuming he's still at Pride Park.

Last week, it emerged that Derby had rejected an opening bid from their East Midlands rivals for the defender but it seems as though Forest aren't done just yet.

According to The Athletic, Buchanan is top of the Reds' list of targets at left-back while Hughton has confirmed that signing a new player at the is a prime concern.

The 20-year-old has now entered the final year of his contract, which may mean the Rams feel they have to listen to any agreeable offers for him.

Celtic are also understood to be keen on the Derby defender but journalist Alan Nixon has suggested the Scottish giants may not offer enough to prize him away from the Pride Park outfit.

Arsenal and West Ham United were both linked with Buchanan earlier in the summer but nothing has materialised concerning either club over the past few months.

The Verdict

This will not make easy reading for Derby as it seems their fierce rival are circling Buchanan and have made signing a left-back a top priority.

Hughton's confirmation that solving the left-back issue is top of his list would indicate that the Reds are prepared to push hard for the 20-year-old, so it's going to be very interesting to see how things develop.

Given the financial issues that the Rams are facing at the moment, they may be forced to consider an agreeable bid from Forest – something which under usual circumstances you feel they would rule out.