David Cuffley Norwich City have been urged to move quickly if they are serious about signing out-of-contract Aberdeen midfielder Barry Nicholson.The Scotland international's agent confirmed that the Canaries had made inquiries about the 29-year-old, who is looking at offers to move south of the border.

David Cuffley

Norwich City have been urged to move quickly if they are serious about signing out-of-contract Aberdeen midfielder Barry Nicholson.

The Scotland international's agent confirmed that the Canaries had made inquiries about the 29-year-old, who is looking at offers to move south of the border.

But Kenny Moyes, representing Nicholson, said time was short for City boss Glenn Roeder to decide whether to follow up initial calls from his new head of player recruitment, Bryan Gunn.

Moyes, brother of Everton boss David, said: “I've been having a few discussions with Bryan Gunn. He's had a couple of good reports about Barry.

“Bryan's been very professional about the way he's gone about things.

“He's interested, he knows the player and I think the assistant manager has seen him.

“But I don't think Glenn has had the chance to see him for himself and it depends on what he wants to do. I don't know if there is enough time before Barry makes a decision. Time is short and there may be too much pressure on to get that commitment.”

Newly-promoted Nottingham Forest are also understood to be keen to sign Nicholson, while one report suggested a deal had been agreed with Preston.

Dumfries-born Nicholson, who would be available on a free transfer, was quoted in the Daily Record as saying he had decided to move to England.

He said: “It was a hard decision but I wanted to try something different. I'll be 30 in the summer and I thought if I signed here again I might miss my chance.”

But Moyes said it was far from certain Nicholson would leave Pittodrie.

Said Moyes: “There are a number of clubs interested but Aberdeen are desperate to keep him.

“He has always been happy at Aberdeen, everybody liked him and he's been very happy living up there.

“It would have to be a good deal for him to leave.”

Nicholson, capped three times by Scotland, began his career with Rangers before moving to Dunfermline in the summer of 2000, making more than 200 appearances in a five-year spell.

He was signed by the Dons in the summer of 2005 for £250,000.