Forest's player of the season has played under Joe Royle at Oldham, Everton and Ipswich and is an obvious target as Royle looks to replace the departed Davis.
The Ipswich boss has also been linked with Mike Pollitt of Rotherham who Forest had a bid turned down for last season.
It may be that Pollitt does end up at the City Ground if Gary Megson can sell Gerrard for more than he has to pay for Pollitt, enabling him to use the difference and strengthen elsewhere.