Loaning out Keinan Davis was a masterstroke

Keinan Davis’ successful loan spell at Nottingham Forest has come to an end with the Reds earning promotion to the Premier League. Forest won their Championship playoff final with Huddersfield Town and the Mirror say they’re now contemplating signing the 24-year-old permanently.

Davis is set to return to Aston Villa this summer, but he may be considering Forest’s proposal as he’s unlikely to be a regular under Steven Gerrard. With Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings for competition next season, it’s hard to see the former England youth international getting opportunities.

Villa signed the 24-year-old on a free transfer from Biggleswade Town in 2015. Davis has gone on to make 86 appearances in all competitions, scoring six goals with seven assists. After amassing a paltry 442 minutes of playing time last season and 11 minutes this campaign, he was loaned out to Forest midway through 2021/22 to get first-team football.

Gallery: The greatest seasons by players newly promoted to the Premier League (FourFourTwo)

Davis quickly became a regular under Steve Cooper and scored five goals with three assists in 22 games across the board. Forest are now considering matching his £15m asking price to sign him for good, so Villa could make a tidy profit on his sale. Had Davis sat on the bench under Gerrard this season, his value would have shrunk.

In other news, Noel Whelan ‘can’t see’ Aston Villa selling John McGinn to Tottenham Hotspur