Hunt appears to be a man in demand

Athletic's versatile defender Rob Hunt (right)

Athletic defender Rob Hunt is reportedly being tracked by a number of Championship clubs.

The young defender, who made 37 appearances for the Boundary Park club last season in Sky Bet League One, is believed to have the likes of Nottingham Forest interested in acquiring his services for the 2018/2019 campaign.

Athletic will be plying their trade in League Two next season after being relegated on the final day of the season, with that demotion setting a number of clubs in League One and the Championship on notice to try and grab a Boundary Park bargain.

It’s believed Hunt has a £300,000 release clause in his contract with Forest, along with Wigan Athletic, interested in matching that fee in order to add the versatile defender - who can play either left or right back - to their squad.

No favourite has been revealed in the race for Hunt’s signature although between Forest and Wigan, the City Ground outfit are believed to be more in need of cover at the back, particularly at right back.

Hunt could be one of a number of players leaving Boundary Park in what’s sure to be a busy summer for Richie Wellens and the powers that be, with players such as Dan Gardner and Jack Byrne also said to have caught the eye.

Gardner has been linked with two unnamed French clubs while Byrne, who arrived in Oldham on loan from Wigan Athletic last August before securing a permanent move in January, is said to be on Peterborough's wanted list.