Championship outfit Reading are closing in on the signing of Nottingham Forest midfielder Tyrese Fornah, according to a Twitter update from journalist Courtney Friday.

The 22-year-old spent the second half of the 2021/22 campaign at League One side Shrewsbury Town after finding himself far down the pecking order once more at the City Ground, even with Jack Colback moving to a left wing-back role.

Although James Garner has left since then, with the Englishman returning to Manchester United on the expiration of his loan deal, Fornah is unlikely to force his way into contention following the Reds' promotion to the Premier League.

 

 

One side that could benefit from his services, however, is the Royals who only have Dejan Tetek as an established option in the middle of the park and even the Serbian is inexperienced compared to others at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Andy Rinomhota, Josh Laurent, Danny Drinkwater and Tom Dele-Bashiru's departures in recent months has left Paul Ince in a tricky situation and the former England international will fully welcome a much-needed addition in this area.

However, not everyone in Berkshire will benefit from this move and with this in mind, we're taking a look at one winner and one loser at the second-tier side if they manage to get this deal over the line.

Winner: Tom Holmes

Soccer Football - Championship - Sheffield United v Reading - Bramall Lane, Sheffield, Britain - April 15, 2022 Reading's Tom Holmes in action with Sheffield United's Daniel Jebbison Action Images/Ed Sykes EDITORIAL USE ONLY

After being part of a backline that had the joint-worst defensive record in the second tier during the 2021/22 campaign, Holmes is in desperate need of someone who can provide him and his fellow defenders with an added layer of protection.

Although Fornah hasn't exactly made a huge impact going forward during his career, he could potentially be the shield that the likes of Holmes and Scott Dann will need to provide them with the extra help needed to take pressure off the defence.

Less pressure could help 22-year-old Holmes to thrive and though he did shine occasionally during 2021/22, he needs to be more consistent if he's to continue attracting interest from elsewhere.

At 22, he will only get better and with Forest previously thought to have been interested in luring him to the City Ground, a good season for him could earn him a move away from Berkshire.

Fornah could play his part in that.

Loser: Tom McIntyre

Soccer Football - Championship - Reading v Blackburn Rovers - Madejski Stadium, Reading, Britain - March 19, 2022 Reading's Tom McIntyre and Tom Holmes celebrate after the match Action Images/Paul Childs EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Another academy graduate in McIntyre may not benefit so much from this addition though - because his likely starting spot in midfield may be taken away by the Forest man if others also come in.

McIntyre and Tetek are the only two senior options in the middle of the park at this stage and with this, the duo would be likely to start against Blackpool on the opening day of the season if no midfielders arrive.

However, the Royals are thought to be tracking a number of midfielders including Fornah, Jamie Shackleton and Jeff Hendrick, potentially pushing McIntyre back into central defence.

He isn't guaranteed a spot in the backline either though, with Holmes, Dann, Liam Moore and Jeriel Dorsett also available when all are fit and there are no guarantees Ince won't move to bring in another central defender.

The former Scotland youth international could also play at left-back - but that isn't his best position and it would be difficult to see a signing in this area not arrive before the start of 2022/23.