Besiktas open door for Middlesbrough to return for Nottingham Forest player | OneFootball

Middlesbrough could get a chance to reignite their interest in Nottingham Forest centre-back Joe Worrall in the summer transfer window as an update from Turkish outlet Sporx has claimed that Besiktas will not be taking up the option to make the 27-year-old's loan move permanent.

Having come through the youth ranks at Forest, Worrall had emerged as a key player for the club in helping them win promotion back to the Premier League in 2022.

He was then even named as club captain ahead of their return to the top flight. However, the defender found himself down the pecking order at The City Ground this season.

As a result, his career has taken a rather different turn in recent months, something which may now work to the advantage of Middlesbrough.

Joe Worrall could soon be available again

In the lead-up to the January transfer window, it was reported that Worrall had been banished from first-team training at Forest, despite being club captain.

The 27-year-old was apparently also told he would be free to leave the club once the market reopened.

That seemingly attracted attention at The Riverside Stadium, with it being reported that Middlesbrough were lining up a loan offer for the defender, that included the option to buy.

Ultimately though, no such deal to take Worrall to Boro would materialise. Instead, he would join Besiktas on loan in early February, after the English window had closed.

It was reported that the deal included the option for the Turkish giants to buy the centre-back in the summer.

However, since making the move to Besiktas, Worrall has featured just eight times in all competitions for the club, who sit an underwhelming fifth in the Turkish top-flight standings.

As a result, this latest update now claims that the club are set to part ways with the Forest loanee when his loan expires at the end of this season.

That could open the door for Middlesbrough to make a fresh move for Worrall in the summer transfer window.

As things stand, there are just over two years remaining on Worrall's contract with Forest, securing his future at The City Ground until the end of the 2025/26 season.

Consequently, Forest will have room to negotiate any offer that is made for the centre-back once the window opens again.

For their part, Middlesbrough finished this season eighth in the Championship table, four points adrift of the play-off places.

Middlesbrough should reignite Joe Worrall interest

It would seem to make sense for Boro to look into another move for Worrall come the summer transfer window.

Paddy McNair has already confirmed he will be leaving the Riverside Stadium when his contract expires this summer.

Meanwhile, it would be no huge surprise to see Rav van den Berg attracting interest from elsewhere following his excellent debut season with Boro.

That may leave Michael Carrick's side needing reinforcements in defence and Worrall could provide that for them.

With Forest almost certain to stay in the Premier League, it is hard to imagine he will force his way back into the frame there, once his loan move with Besiktas comes to an end.

He will therefore likely be available once again. Such a situation is something Middlesbrough should take advantage of.

Not only do they need a centre-back, they will have eyes on promotion to the Premier League as well, and Worrall knows all about doing that from his time with Forest.

He could, therefore, be a key part in any push for promotion if he makes the move to The Riverside Stadium.

With that in mind, it does feel as though this update on Worrall's future with Besiktas, could turn out to be good news for Middlesbrough.