CHERRIES striker Lewis Grabban is “close” to securing a move to Championship outfit Nottingham Forest, according to reports.

Sky Sports News claim the 30-year-old, who scored 20 goals across spells on loan at Sunderland and Aston Villa last season, is on the verge of switching to the City Ground “for a fee in the region of £5million”.

Nottinghamshire Live reported the two-time European Cup winners had “held talks with Grabban’s representatives in the past few days”.

Forest boss Aitor Karanka admitted he had previously attempted to sign Grabban.

He said: “Lewis is a good player and I wanted him when I was at Middlesbrough. In the end he went to Norwich.

“I can tell you that the striker who arrives will be the right one for this club.

“The striker will be one of the most important signings we make at the club this summer. This player can make the difference that we missed last season.”

Sky claim Birmingham City are “also interested” in the frontman, while Birmingham Live understand a move to Forest “looks far more likely”.

Grabban has not played a competitive game for Cherries in 18 months.

He featured in Villa’s Championship play-off final defeat to Fulham at Wembley.

Meanwhile, Cherries are reportedly battling Burnley, Middlesbrough and Fulham to sign Bristol City’s Joe Bryan.

The left-back has a year remaining on his deal at Ashton Gate with the Bristol Post claiming “multiple contract offers” had been made to the 24-year-old by his employers.

And the Post stated Bryan “looked set” to depart with a “bidding war” in the offing.

Elsewhere, Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reports Cherries and Everton have enquired about the availability of Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario.

Portugal midfielder Mario, who spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham, joined Inter from Sporting Lisbon for £35million two years ago.

The Sun reports Newcastle United's Matt Ritchie remains on Cherries' "shortlist".

The tabloid claims the Magpies "will only allow him to leave if they can land a replacement".

Stoke and Middlesbrough have also been linked with a move for the winger.

Ritchie ended his three-and-a-half year spell at Cherries in July 2016 by joining Rafa Benitez's men for £12million.