Noel Whelan has suggested that Nottingham Forest could have to sell Joe Worrall and Matty Cash to a club such as West Ham in order to keep themselves "alive".
It was recently reported that the Hammers are lining up a summer move for the duo - having previously failed with a bid for Cash last summer - who could be available for a reduced price if Forest fail to win promotion to the Premier League this season, as the club look to cope with the financial pressures brought about by the current suspension of the English football season.
That however, is something that Whelan himself would be a cruel - but potentially necessary - way for Forest to lose two of their key players this season.
Asked about whether he could see West Ham making a move for Cash in the summer - and if such a bid would be one Forest would need to accept - Whelan told Football Insider: “I expect people to be taking notice, absolutely. With what’s going on there’s going to be cut prices, clubs struggling to keep better players.
“Financially they’re going to want to make sure that they’re secure and to do that, at the minute, is to capitalise on some of your bigger assets at the club. That includes some of their star players."
Revealing his views on such a situation emerging, the former Leeds striker continued: “They need clubs to buy them, that is paramount. It’s horrible it’s come to this because I think Matty Cash has had a great season and would want to finish his career at Nottingham Forest in a better way.
“He’ll take great credit if he does leave in that he’s helping keep the club alive.”
Forest had previously been said to value both Cash and Worrall at around £18million, although it is now thought that the duo could be available for a combined total of £25million.
There are currently just over three years remaining on Cash's current contract with Forest, securing his future at the club until the end of the 2022/23 season, while Worrall's deal with the club is not set to expire until the summer of 2024.
The Verdict
I do agree with Whelan here.
Usually, the amount of time remaining on both Cash and Worrall's contract would put Forest in a strong position to negotiate any offers coming in for the duo, and give them the opportunity to receive a decent, and useful, fee.
However, the current situation means that that may no longer be the case, meaning Forest may well be facing the prospect of losing two key players for a below value price, both weakening their squad and making it harder for them to find reliable and suitable replacements.
That being said, given the financial stability it could give them in these otherwise uncertain times, that could still be the lesser of two evils.