Nottingham Forest remain keen on bringing Jack Colback back to the City Ground for a third spell - but are also exploring other options in the meantime.
And they are among a clutch of clubs understood to be monitoring midfielder Harrison Reed’s situation at Southampton.
The 24-year-old is firmly on the radar of Premier League Burnley and Norwich, who are also returning to the top flight following their promotion in May.
The Reds remain keen on Colback, following another successful loan spell last season.
But the finances involved in signing the Newcastle man for a third time are not straightforward and, while they are happy to remain patient in their efforts to land the 29-year-old, Forest are also exploring several other targets.
The Saints are willing to allow Reed to move again this summer, either on loan or possibly even on a permanent move, with Ralph Hasenhuttl keen to trim his squad ahead of the new campaign.
The Canaries will have an obvious advantage if they do pursue a move for the player, with Reed having already spent time on loan at Carrow Road, during the 2017/18 season, when he made 43 appearances, scoring one goal.
And both they and Burnley would have the lure of top flight football in their favour.
Reed spent last season on loan at Blackburn, helping them to consolidate their position in the second tier, having made the step up from League One - and he made 36 appearances for Rovers, scoring 3 goals.
Forest could make more than one midfield signing this summer - but that would be dependant on them moving players out of the exit and that remains equally difficult, at a time when Championship clubs are tightening their belts.
The Reds have a clutch of solid, dependable central midfield options, in Adlene Guedioura, Ben Watson, Claudio Yacob and Liam Bridcutt.
But they club will look to move at least two of those players on, as they look to inject a little more variety, youthful energy and dynamism into their midfield contingent.
