Benitez wants 22-year-old at Newcastle; Inquiry launched

The Mirror have reported that Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is interested in signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Ben Osborn during the summer.

The 22-year-old has had an impressive season for a struggling Forest team this season and a move to Newcastle, who are likely to be promoted to the Premier League next season, should appeal to him.

Newcastle are believed to have inquired to inquire about the  former England under-20 international during the January transfer window and it is believed that they will come with an offer during the summer.

Osborn played for Derby before transferring to Forest as a youth, where he progressed among the various ranks with the clubs youth development program.

Since making his debut for the Championship side against Ipswich Town in March 2014, he has gone on to make 123 appearances for the club, netting nine goals.

He is under contract with Forest until 2020, and as a result, the Magpies will have to fork out a substantial amount of money for the Reds to sell their star man.