Nottingham Forest are reportedly set to win the race to sign Shamrock Rovers striker Michael Noonan.
Nottingham Forest have experienced a few teething issues under the stewardship of newly appointed manager Oliver Glasner, but on the whole it's been a positive start to the season.
The Tricky Trees started the season with back-to-back losses against Leeds United, but they're since unbeaten, earning valuable points against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur before defeating Aston Villa 2-1 on the road at the weekend.
Forest put the money banked from selling Elliot Anderson to good use in the summer transfer window, with Liam Delap and Ousmane Diomande amongst the club's most notable arrivals, and they've continued their promising work outside of the designated transfer window with the agreement to sign one of the most exciting up-and-coming strikers in Irish football.
As per The Telegraph's John Percy, Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal to sign Shamrock Rovers striker Michael Noonan on a free transfer in January.
The signing of the 18-year-old forward is part of a wider club project to recruit more young talent, with the Irishman set to undergo his Forest medical on Wednesday.
Noonan played for Monasterevin, Crumlin United and Ballyoulster United in his youth, before making the switch to professional Irish outfit St Patrick's Athletic in 2022, where he played primarily for the club's youth setup before making his senior debut in February 2024.
He impressed on the few occasions that he was given a chance for the Saints, scoring three goals and registering one assist in five senior appearances, and he earned himself a move to to 22-time League of Ireland winners Shamrock Rovers in January 2025.
Noonan has made over 80 appearances for Shamrock and became the youngest scorer in UEFA Conference League history when netting for the club against Molde in February of last year.
Forest will no doubt be delighted to secure his signature ahead of other European suitors, with Ajax and Benfica's interest in the striker proof of the talent that he boasts.
