Nottingham Forest 'targeting' former Hibs star in January transfer as Sean Dyche and co sent top dollar demand

Nottingham Forest are claimed to be targeting a January transfer for one former Hibs star with eyes on the World Cup.

Sean Dyche has taken charge at the City Ground and after a turbulent start to this term, the ex-Everton and Burnley boss is getting results domestically and in Europa League action. They are looking to bulk up for the second half of the season and one star they are believed to like is Sassuolo left-back Josh Doig.

He completed a transfer to Italy and Hellas Verona in the summer of 2022 after shining as a young talent with Hibs. The Easter Road side banked a seven-figure fee for the defender who has impressed back at Serie A level this season, making 14 appearances so far this season, with a goal in the Coppa Italia.

Why Nottingham Forest want Josh Doig

Doig will also have dreams of the World Cup next year, having made his Scotland debut in 2025 and been in and around Steve Clarke’s side. Nottingham Forest will need to serve up big bucks if they want to sign the former Hibs man.

It’s claimed in The Sun: “Nottingham Forest are targeting one of Steve Clarke’s Scotland stars for a January transfer. New boss Sean Dyche is eyeing up reinforcements as he seeks to keep Forest in the Premier League. SunSport understands that one of the players the Midlands club have shortlisted is Scotland defender Josh Doig. Sources in Italy suggest that Sassuolo are in no rush to sell and will want Forest to pay top dollar for the defender.”

Doig said of his time with Hibs in 2024: “It was probably exaggerated for myself just because, being from Edinburgh, I live 10 minutes from Easter Road. So, it was probably exaggerated because of the fans. It’s more personal when you don’t win a game. It’s like you’re disappointing people that you actually know.

Josh Doig on Hibs

“So, for me that probably pushed me more because it gave you so much pressure, which helps you at the end of the day, if you’re a footballer, you need to be able to deal with pressure. But yeah, getting away from all that, gave me a bit of a breather. Even over here, it’s still so much pressure.

“Obviously, it’s not as personal. So, you don’t have the personal side that you get with Hibs, but the fans here are still so passionate, they live and breathe football, just at Hibs. So, it’s similar, but as I said, it’s probably just without that the personal aspect.

“I’ve been coached by David, played with David and he’s obviously such a club legend. He’s a great guy. That’s why I think the boys will have faith in him. He’ll never lose a change in him because the boys will have such faith in him for what he’s done and for what he’s done for the club as well. With me personally he used to take me at the end for a crossing drill. We worked on the same crosses every day but it will probably be difficult to do it as the gaffer now so I can’t comment on that.”