Preston North End interested in young Nottingham Forest defender - reports
North End have been linked with a centre back.
A new report has linked Preston North End with young Nottingham Forest defender Zach Abbott.
Alan Nixon claims that North End are ‘chasing’ the 20-year-old centre-back, but will face competition from other clubs.
It’s understood that he will be allowed to head out on loan after making 10 appearances for Forest’s first team last season.
Abbott made his debut for Forest in August 2022, aged 16. After a further two appearances in cup competitions in the 2024/25 campaign, including in an FA Cup semi-final, he featured for them seven times in the 2025/26 Europa League.
Abbott was an unused substitute for Forest in their 1-0 home defeat to Leeds United on Saturday.
While he is a centre-back by trade, playing either in the middle or on the right-hand side of a back three, or on the right of a centre-back pairing, he has also often featured at right-back for Forest, particularly in European games.
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What Paul Heckingbottom has said about recruitment focus
The PNE boss was asked by the Lancashire Post on Monday whether he is looking at strengthening the squad in other areas aside from the attack. He didn’t suggest that the centre-back position was an immediate priority.
“We're looking to recruit to play a different shape,” said Heckingbottom, “more attacking players, better 1v1 players on the pitch.
“But what we can't afford to do is keep chasing and chasing and then be left short. So, we're sort of going down two paths at the minute and, whichever one lands, we have to progress.
“Because I'm sitting here and I'm knowing how much work needs to be done. And also, the longer it goes on, the less confidence you have in landing your plan A and what you want.
“So, there's a lot still to do and potentially big shifts in what we're trying to do as well.”