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Nottingham Forest signing this 24-year-old star from rivals would boost a key area

Why Nottingham Forest should move for Alex Mowatt this summer

According to Nottinghamshire Live, Nottingham Forest are monitoring Barnsley midfielder Alex Mowatt, who has been in fine form for the relegation-threatened Tykes in the Championship this season. 

However, the 24-year-old is unlikely to be a top priority for the Reds during the January window, with manager Sabri Lamouchi keen to bolster his attack with a new striker and a winger heading into the crucial second half of the campaign. (The Athletic h/t Nottinghamshire Live)

Mowatt, who was instrumental in Barnsley’s promotion-winning campaign in the League One last term with a tally of 8 goals and 6 assists in 46 appearances, has more than held his own amidst the Tykes’ struggle for survival in the second-tier this season. 

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Alex Mowatt has registered 2 goals and 7 assists in 24 appearances for Barnsley in the Championship so far this season (Getty Images)

The former England U20 international has been one of the shining lights of a sinking ship at Oakwell, scoring twice and laying on a further seven assists for his teammates in 24 appearances in the Championship so far. 

Born in Doncaster, Mowatt rose through the youth ranks at Leeds United and went on to make 125 appearances for the West Yorkshire giants, accumulating 13 goals and 13 assists, before moving on to join Barnsley back in January 2017. 

However, he only played a bit-part role during the latter stages of the 2016-17 campaign and spent the following campaign on loan at Oxford United in the third-tier as the Tykes suffered relegation from the Championship.  

Mowatt returned strongly to guide the club to promotion last season and has since established himself as a key player for the Tykes in the Championship this term, managing to hold on to his status as a regular starter under new manager Gerhard Struber.

The 24-year-old has racked up some impressive statistics at Oakwell in the Championship this season. As per whoscored, the central midfielder boasts of a pass success of 76.1%, including 2.1 tackles, 1 interception, 2.4 key passes, 1 dribble, 1.6 crosses and 3.1 long balls per game. 

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Mowatt was instrumental in the Tykes promotion-winning League One campaign last season (Getty Images)

Indeed, those numbers speak volumes of his well-rounded attributes as a creative force in the middle of the park and Mowatt’s rich vein of form in the Championship has apparently prompted promotion-hopefuls Nottingham Forest to keep a close watch on his performances. 

Nottingham Forest don’t need to bring in a new central midfielder in January, given that there are some gaping holes to be filled further up the pitch. That said, Alex Mowatt would be a smashing signing for the two-time European champions in the summer. 

Roping in an understudy to first-choice striker Lewis Grabban understandably continues to be a top priority for the Reds, who definitely need a proven back-up in their ranks to reduce the goalscoring burden on the 31-year-old. 

Plus, with Albert Adomah and Sammy Ameobi netting only four goals between them so far, a goalscoring winger also fits the bill the City Ground in January as Forest look to enhance their chances of securing a top-six finish. 

Verdict

Central midfield is one area where reinforcements are not an immediate necessity but Forest will need a reshuffling of their cavalry in the near future when Alfa Semedo returns to Benfica following the expiry of his loan spell. 

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Mowatt previously clocked up over 100 appearances for Leeds United (Getty Images)

Ben Watson, who has been one of the mainstays of Forest’s midfield under Lamouchi this season, is set to turn 35 at the end of the campaign and the Reds will need to gradually start moving away from their ageing stars sooner rather than later. 

To that end, it is easy to see why Forest completing a swoop for Alex Mowatt in the summer would freshen up their midfield options with some much-needed quality. 

The 24-year-old is only going to get better with time and his wealth of experience at this level means that Mowatt could play a big role for the Reds in the Championship.

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Having said that, Nottingham Forest should line up Alex Mowatt as one of their top targets next summer, given that he looks like a quality player with potential.