Southampton close in on Zach Abbott loan from Nottingham Forest

Southampton are closing in on the loan signing of Nottingham Forest defender Zach Abbott, with the 20-year-old undergoing a deadline-day medical.

Sky Sports reports that Abbott has travelled to Southampton for medical checks after the Championship club moved ahead in the race to secure him on a temporary deal.

BBC Radio Nottingham has separately reported that the Forest academy graduate is expected to sign a new contract at the City Ground before completing the loan, with the defender then due to return to his parent club at the end of the season.

Neither Southampton nor Nottingham Forest have formally announced the transfer, leaving the move subject to the remaining medical, contractual and registration formalities.

There has been conflicting reporting over whether Southampton will hold an option to buy. TalkSPORT has reported that a purchase option forms part of the proposed agreement, while Forest correspondent Paul Taylor has described it as a straight loan. The BBC’s latest reporting also indicates Abbott is expected back at Forest after the loan, so no permanent-transfer clause can yet be treated as confirmed.

Abbott came through Nottingham Forest’s academy and has gradually established himself around the senior squad. He made 10 first-team appearances during the 2025/26 season, including seven in Forest’s run to the Europa League semi-finals.

Primarily a centre-back, Abbott has also been used at full-back and has represented England at youth level. Forest have continued to view him as a long-term prospect, having already tied him to a contract running until 2029 before the latest discussions over another new deal.

Southampton’s move follows the departure of Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Aston Villa and would give them another young defensive option for their Championship promotion campaign.

The transfer remains advanced rather than complete: Abbott is undergoing his medical and Southampton are working to finalise the loan, but the precise terms of any future purchase clause remain unresolved in the reporting.