Alternative solution emerges in Nottingham Forest, Blackburn saga | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien could join in a club in a country whose transfer window is still open, such as Austria, Croatia, or Turkey, if Blackburn Rovers‘ appeal fails.

The Championship club have confirmed their plans to appeal the EFL’s refusal to ratify their loan-to-buy deal for O’Brien as well as a permanent move for another player – reported to be Rochdale youngster Ethan Brierley.

Rovers missed the deadline for both moves due to events they have suggested were outside their control while Football Insider has claimed it was due to an EFL technicality relating to the loan-to-buy agreement.

O’Brien has not been named in Forest’s 25-man squad for the rest of the season meaning he will not be able to feature for Steve Cooper’s side until next term and will be left in limbo were Blackburn’s appeal to fail.

However, BBC Sport’s Simon Stone has revealed an alternative solution to the 24-year-old’s issue.

He has highlighted that O’Brien could join a club in a country whose transfer window has not yet closed.

Among the nations on that list are Austria, Croatia, and Turkey.

The loan deal that Blackburn had agreed for O’Brien, is understood to have included a £10 million obligation to buy if they get promoted this term.

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The Verdict

You have to have sympathy for O’Brien but it seems all is not lost for him.

Even if Rovers’ appeal fails, he could still secure a loan move to a club in a country whose transfer window hasn’t closed yet.

It will be on Forest to sort out such a deal, of course, and they’ll have to do so before those respective windows close.

The 24-year-old would have been a fantastic signing for the Ewood Park outfit but it feels unlikely that their appeal will be successful.