Nottingham Forest are believed to be close to signing former Sunderland defender Louis Laing on a free transfer.
The England youth international was released by the Black Cats at the end of last season, having only made one senior appearance - as a Premier League substitute in 2011.
Manchester United reportedly took the centre-back on trial in April, while Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers are other clubs who are thought to be keen admirers of Laing.
However, the Nottingham Post reports that the 21-year-old has agreed in principle to join Forest, and his move to the City Ground will be confirmed once paperwork has been signed and a medical passed.
New Forest manager Stuart Pearce has already signed Matty Fryatt and Dutch striker Lars Veldwijk this summer.
