Nottingham Forest have been handed the ideal chance to land Chelsea youngster Levi Colwill this summer, amid reports that the newly-promoted side are keen on the centre-back.

What's the word?

The Midlands outfit have previously been named as one of the top-flight clubs who are interested in poaching the 19-year-old starlet - who spent last season on loan at Huddersfield Town - from Stamford Bridge.

Now, journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that it is looking "likely" that the Englishman will leave the Blues this summer, with Thomas Tuchel and co plotting more defensive recruits having already agreed a deal for Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly.

Writing on Twitter about the teenager's future, the respected insider stated: "More on Chelsea. Levi Colwill, now likely to leave on a permanent deal this summer - as Tuchel and Boehly are working to sign three top centre backs.

"Chelsea and Levi Colwill will make a decision soon - as Koulibaly deal is done, Kimpembé and Aké in talks."

Big coup

As Steve Cooper's side prepare for a first Premier League campaign in 23 years, ironically the club partially have young Colwill to thank for that fact, with the Southampton-born ace having netted what proved to be a crucial own goal when Forest met the Terriers in the Championship play-off final.

That moment will ensure he will already have some goodwill in the bank with his potential future employers, although few should have any concerns about what that unfortunate moment says about his talent, with the £4.5m-rated colossus having been hugely impressive under Carlos Corberan last season.

Tipped to have a "fantastic career" by ex-teammate Lewis O'Brien - who could also be on his way to the City Ground - the 6 foot 2 starlet made 29 appearances in the second tier last term, 26 of which from the start, notably averaging 4.1 clearances, 1.8 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game.

The highly-rated prospect - who has been compared to former Chelsea legend and one-time Forest loanee, John Terry - also won a solid 66% of his total duels and kept 11 clean sheets, while also proving himself a handful at the other end of the pitch with two goals and an assist to his name.

Managing to pluck the £5k-per-week ace from his parent club would no doubt be a notable coup for Cooper and co, with Colwill potentially yet another exciting Blues talent who is set to blossom elsewhere.

The decision to potentially let the England U21 international depart could well be one that those at Cobham live to regret, although for Forest a potential swoop could prove a masterstroke.

AND in other news - Imagine him & Awoniyi: Cooper can form deadly duo by signing “stunning” £10m star