Ryan Yates is approaching a career crossroads. He has struggled to break into Aitor Karanka’s Championship side this season, playing just 45 minutes of EFL Cup football against League Two side Bury.
The Nottingham Forest academy graduate decided to stay put in the summer despite being linked with a move away from City Ground (h/t Nottingham Post). Yates may have to reconsider his position with the January transfer window which is just weeks away. He signed a new three-year contract in July but he might need to move on to get the crucial minutes he needs for his development.
According to Nottingham Post, League One powerhouses Portsmouth and Sunderland are among the sides that are interested in signing the midfielder. As per The Mirror, Forest value Ryan Yates at around £500,000 – a figure the Fratton Park side are willing to pay to take him to the south coast.
Meanwhile, Championship duo Hull City and Rotherham are also hoping to land the highly-rated central midfielder (h/t Nottingham Post). Should Aitor Karanka sanction a move away, there is no doubt that Yates won’t be short of potential suitors.
Forest spent huge amounts to strengthen their midfield in the summer, signing Benfica duo Joao Carvalho and Diogo Goncalves. Thus, it always seemed like Yates’ immediate future would lie away from the City Ground. A move away would be the most ideal scenario for all the parties involved.
The versatile Englishman can play on the right or a defensive midfielder and is definitely no stranger to the League One. He has made 28 appearances, scoring twice and providing an assist. Last season, Yates enjoyed a productive spell in the League Two at Notts County in the first half of the season.
He then moved up a division, joining League One side Scunthorpe in January until the end of the season. He made 18 league appearances for the Irons, netting twice and providing an assist even as they missed out on a place in the play-off final.
Portsmouth will be strengthening in January as they are keen on consolidating their position at the top of the table. A move to Pompey would help Yates revitalize his career which is at risk of stalling. It would also provide the squad depth that Kenny Jackett needs to see off Sunderland and clinch the title.
For Nottingham, Ryan Yates would hardly be missed with the likes of Jack Colback and Adlene Guedioura ahead of him in the pecking order. Thus, Forest should cash in on Yates in the winter transfer window. He is hardly ever going to play himself into Aitor Karanka’s plans with the limited time he’s getting at City Ground.
