Nottingham Forest have offered England under-20 defender Jamaal Lascelles a new contract in a bid to deter growing interest from Premier League clubs.

Lascelles has emerged as a potential target for Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle, but Forest are keen to reward his progress with vastly improved terms.

Arsenal sent chief scout Steve Rowley to watch Lascelles in Forest's game at Bolton on Saturday and have been long-term admirers of the youngster.

The 20-year-old only agreed a long-term deal in August 2012 but his rapid emergence this season has raised the threat of a bid in the January transfer window.

Fawaz Al-Hasawi, the Forest chairman, wants to persuade the centre-half to commit his future to the Championship club and will have further talks this week.

Lascelles suffered a knee injury in the game at the Reebok Stadium and underwent an MRI scan on Monday, with the results to be confirmed on Tuesday.

Forest are facing competition to sign defender Jack Hobbs from Reading after Nigel Adkins tabled a £600,000 bid.

Hobbs, the Hull City centre-half, has impressed on loan at Forest but Reading are keen to sign him this month.

Source: Telegraph