Sources: Nottingham Forest battle QPR to sign Bournemouth star Cook
Nottingham Forest have joined the chase for Bournemouth defender Steve Cook in the January window, Football Insider understands.
Forest have targeted the 30-year-old to bolster their defensive options in the upcoming window.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Forest are battling Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers to lure Cook for a cut-price fee.
He has entered the final six months of his Bournemouth deal and will be a free agent in the summer.
Cook was absent from the matchday squad as the Cherries recorded a narrow 1-0 win over QPR yesterday (27 December).
Bournemouth boss Scott Parker, as quoted by broadcast journalist Kris Temple, revealed the defender's absence was the result of a "joint decision".
He added that "something may be in the pipeline" in terms of a January move.
The former Brighton man has featured just three times in the Championship this term.
Cook initially joined the south coast club from the Seagulls on loan in October 2011.
He made the move permanent in January 2012.
The defender was an integral part of the side that gained promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2014/15 season, playing in all 46 Championship fixtures.
Cook then captained the Cherries during the 2019/20 season as Bournemouth suffered relegation from the top flight.
The defender has made 387 appearances for the club, including 168 in England's elite division.
Forest are looking to bolster their play-off credentials in the winter window under Steve Cooper.
Football Insider exclusively revealed yesterday (27 December) that Forest are in pole position to sign Colchester United midfielder Brendan Wiredu next month.
Cooper's side sit just two points outside the Championship top six after 24 games.