Albion are poised for talks with Nottingham Forest over the future of Joel Lynch.

Forest want to make the on-loan defender’s switch to the City Ground permanent and are reportedly lining up a £200,000 bid, which falls way short of the Seagulls’ valuation.

The situation has been complicated by a change of manager at both clubs since the want-away Lynch moved to the East Midlands in September.

Current Albion boss Russell Slade is an admirer of the 21-year-old, who is under contract until 2011.

Lynch was signed for Forest, initially for a month, by Colin Calderwood who has since been replaced by Billy Davies.

He has made 22 appearances but did not feature for personal reasons in Monday’s goalless draw at Sheffield United, which left the former European Cup winners still in the Championship relegation zone on goal difference.