NOTTINGHAM Forest are closing in on a move for out of contract Blackburn Rovers ace Connor Mahoney.

The Lancashire Telegraph revealed last week that the 20-year-old was close to an Ewood exit to a Championship club and it is believed that Forest have won the race,

It is understood personal terms have been agreed between Forest and Mahoney but a compensation fee has yet to be sorted with Rovers and the winger has yet to undergo a medical at the City Ground.

Mahoney, who has been offered a new deal to stay at Ewood Park, has been linked with a move to a host of clubs but Forest appear in pole position to sign the former Accrington Stanley man,.

Rovers would be due compensation because he is under the age of 24 and has been offered a contract. Forest would need to agree a fee with Rovers or see that figure set by a tribunal.

Mahoney, who played 21 games for Rovers last season and impressed in the final months of the campaign, joined Rovers from Stanley in December 2013 having made six appearances for the Reds.

He made his Rovers debut in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City in 2014 but had to wait more than two years for his next first team appearance when he featured in two games towards the end of the 2015-16 season.

And he again found himself out of the first team picture at the start of last season with his first Championship appearance not coming until February.

But he featured regularly under Mowbray in the final two months of the season and the Rovers boss had been keen to tie him down to a longer contract.

Mahoney was the only out-of-contract first team player to be offered a new deal by Mowbray when the Rovers retained list was announced in May.