West Ham United and Norwich City are reportedly interested in signing Joe Worrall, with Nottingham Forest expecting bids to arrive for their defender.

Reports from The Mirror (8th January, page 50) claim that West Ham and Norwich have joined the likes of Sheffield United and Arsenal in the race to sign Worrall.

The 22-year-old has been an everpresent under Sabri Lamouchi this term, making 27 appearances in all competitions and helping the Reds climb to fourth in the Championship.

The homegrown star has come up leaps and bounds since spending time on loan with Rangers last season, and has been a leader for Forest in the absence of Michael Dawson.

Worrall has produced a string of solid performances alongside the likes of Tobias Figueiredo and Chema in defence, and is likely to attract plenty of transfer interest this month.

Can you get 12 out of 12 on this Forest quiz?

The report also claims that Forest are keen to tie Worrall down to a new deal at the City Ground, even though his current contract isn't set to expire until 2022.

Forest return to league action with a trip to the Madejski Stadium to face Reading this weekend, with Lamouchi's side winning their last three league games.

The Verdict

I can't see Worrall leaving Forest this month, regardless of whoever comes in for the homegrown defender.

He loves Forest and bleeds Garibaldi, and I think it would mean far more to him trying to get Forest promoted, rather than join a team like Norwich and fight for top-flight survival.

There would be fury amongst the City Ground faithful if the Reds chose to sell him, as they simply have no reason to do so.