EXCLUSIVE by Pete O’Rourke

Ipswich Town have made an approach for Nottingham Forest winger Barrie McKay, Football Insider sources understand.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Ipswich boss Paul Hurst has made a firm enquiry to Forest for McKay as he looks to bring in a wide man to his squad at Portman Road.

Forest are open to offloading McKay just one year after signing him from Rangers with the attacker not figuring in Aitor Karanka’s plans going forward.

A number of clubs, including Olympiakcos, who are also owned by Forest supremo Evangelos Marinakis, have been linked with a move with McKay, but Ipswich are hoping to keep him in England.

McKay found himself out of favour at Forest in the second half of the season following the arrival of Aitor Karanka as manager to replace Mark Warburton.

The 23-year-old made just four appearances in the side following Karanka’s arrival in January and the club are ready to cash-in on the player to make room in the squad for their own signings.

McKay, who made over 100 appearances for Rangers before joining Forest, could be interested in a move to Ipswich in search of regular first-team football next season.

In other Nottingham Forest news, medical scheduled: Nottingham Forest close to attacker loan, he is valued at £17.5m – report.