Rams Favourite in Shock Forest Switch?

Last updated : 06 July 2004 By The Rambler

Nottingham Forest boss Joe Kinnear has made an offer to Everton for the services of Leon Osman in a move that has surprised the Rams.

Osman spent a very profitable three-month spell at Pride Park on loan last season and it is a matter of public record that George Burley was keen to make the move permanent.

The Derby boss had spent a long time chasing Osman and needed all his persuasive powers to convince David Moyes that the move was in everybody’s interest.

The spell involved in the relegation dogfight at the bottom of the Nationwide First Division certainly did the youngster no harm as he returned to Goodison and seemingly played his way into the first team plans for the new campaign with some eye-catching displays in Evertons’ final few games.

It was the way that he performed for the Toffees that decided Moyes that he was not for sale, but part of the future, and for that reason Pride Park overtures were rebuffed.

Joe Kinnear has confirmed that Forest have tabled a £400,000 bid and the news has led to Derby Director of Football Murdo McKay telling the Derby Evening Telegraph that he would follow the matter up with David Moyes as at this stage the story could be "mischief making" because Derby County were led to believe that Osman’s current form ruled out any chance of a move anywhere.