Oldham open talks to sign Nottingham Forest striker Joe Gardner on loan
League Two side Oldham Athletic are in talks with Nottingham Forest over a loan move for striker Joe Gardner, sources have told Football Insider.
The 21-year-old spent the 2025-26 season on loan in League One with Mansfield Town, and has already been identified as a key summer target by Oldham.
The Latics are now in talks with the starlet's parent club over a season-long loan deal, as Micky Mellon's side look to bolster their firepower.
Gardner scored once in just five league starts for Mansfield, and previously netted once in 11 games for Lincoln City back in 2024-25.
The ambitious Oldham are now trying to take the frontman to the fourth tier for his next move, with discussions ongoing with Forest in an attempt to reach a deal.
Joe Gardner set to taste League Two for the first time
Oldham had play-off ambitions for much of the season, but a hugely disappointing April run ultimately cost them a place in the top seven.
Nevertheless, the Greater Manchester outfit have promotion ambitions for next term, and are already working on a move to add Gardner to their attack.
The Forest youngster is tipped for a bright future at the City Ground, having notched six goals and two assists in 12 games on his last taste of Premier League 2 football.
The Reds are now working on getting the youngster the necessary exposure to senior first-team football, and Oldham are ready to provide him with the next step of his journey.
Gardner needs games if he is to develop, and the Latics are hopeful that he could come in and become a key part of their team.
Mellon's men are likely to be battling at the top end of the table in 2026-27, and they want Gardner to be part of their push for the third tier.
Morgan Gibbs-White to demand Nottingham Forest rebuild
Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider last week that Morgan Gibbs-White will demand a significant overhaul at Forest this summer if he is to stay for another season.
The attacking midfielder is attracting interest from Tottenham once again, and Wyness expects that he will want guarantees that Forest can challenge for Europe again if he is to stay.
However, he also noted that Spurs "paybook" is "shallower than people think," which raises questions as to whether they could afford the Reds' asking price.
Gibbs-White enjoyed a career-best season with 18 goals in all competitions in 2025-26, and it is expected that Forest will face a battle to keep hold of him this summer.