The 21-year-old has been freed by Sunderland and recently spent time on trial with both Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United according to reports in the North East.
The Sunderland Echo reports that Laing was on the verge of a breakthrough at the Stadium of Light in the summer of 2011 but injuries and managerial changes have hampered his progress since.
As an England international up to Under-19 level however the player would have come to the attention of former U-21 boss Stuart Pearce and also Brian Eastick, now part of the Forest backroom team, from his work with the FA.
If the deal is completed it will show that the Reds are recruiting on a number of fronts, signing players like Matty Fryatt who should be the finished article, Lars Veldwijk who is expected to challenge soon for a first-team place and also potential for the future in the shape of Laing.
***Update*** The deal was confirmed on Thursday afternoon, Laing signing a one-year contract with the option of a further year.