Dougie Freedman hopeful of Chuba Akpom loan

Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman is refusing to give up on signing Arsenal youngster Chuba Akpom on loan.

The 19-year-old met with officials from Norwich City on Saturday, but Freedman remains optimistic that Forest can lure the player to the City Ground.

He is quoted by the Nottingham Post as saying: "We are always hopeful. The player we are talking about was actually at the ground – but to talk to Norwich. That is the level of competition we are at. We are in there competing with everyone, but so are many other teams.

"It is going to be very, very hard. Norwich and other sides who are not under an embargo can come in and offer more money. The same thing happened with Chris Wood when we tried to sign him. That is going to happen.

"We have not ended our interest in him. He was here to talk to Norwich, which is fine. I do know he has a number of teams who are in for him and I believe he will make his decision on Monday or Tuesday."

Forest are currently ninth in the Championship table following their 3-1 defeat at Norwich.