Nottingham Forest have reportedly approached Aitor Karanka about taking on the vacant managerial position and could have their man in place by the end of the week.
The 44-year-old has been in the running for a number of Championship and Premier League jobs since being sacked by Middlesbrough at the end of last season.
Stoke City are among those understood to have been considering the Spaniard but, according to the Nottingham Post, he is no longer in the running to replace Mark Hughes at the bet365 Stadium.
Karanka, due to arrive in Britain within the next 48 hours following a trip back home, is now said to be back on Forest's radar as their top target.
The same report suggests that the East Midlands outfit, without a manager since sacking Mark Warburton last month, will now focus on persuading ex-Boro chief Karanka to take on the job.
