Everton Fined After Illegal Approach for Nottingham Forest's Jamaal Lascelles

Everton have received a fine of £45,000 and been warned about their future conduct following a breach of the Football Association's football agent regulations.

A statement on the FA's official website says the Premier League side made an unauthorised approach to Nottingham Forest defender Jamaal Lascelles during the latter part of 2010.

Lascelles' agent, Andy Niedzwiecki, was also warned about his conduct. Niedzwiecki was fined £10,000 after admitting playing a part in the incident, while the player himself received a warning.

The FA reports that the time frame for an appeal has already passed.

Lascelles, now 20 years old, has since gone on to make his full debut for Forest in January 2012 in a 2-0 defeat against Burnley.

He signed a four-year contract with the club in August of the same year after spending time on loan with Stevenage, who he helped to a playoff place in League One.

His development has continued this season. Lascelles has made 15 appearances for the Forest first team, per Soccerbase, as they mount a challenge for promotion to the Premier League.

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He has recently been linked with a Premier League move, as reported by Dave Kidd of the Mirror. Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle and Hull are among the teams said to be interested.

A report by Alan Nixon of the Mirror claims that Arsenal were so impressed by Lascelles that they sent chief scout Steve Rowley to watch him, while Liverpool are also said to have sent a senior scout to have him assessed.

Lascelles is compared to Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany in a profile by Daniel Storey in the Mirror, which also describes the player as "cultured" and "one of Forest's most valuable assets."

Having represented England at under-18, under-19 and under-20 level, it seems like only a matter of time before the defender makes the step up to the top level, either via promotion with Forest or through a move to a top club.