The popular full-back played a major role in Wigan's drive to the Premiership last term, so Eaden's switch to League One with relegated Forest will come as a surprise to the Latics faithful.
Eaden, signed by Jewell following a loan spell from Birmingham three years ago, will command a fee and the two clubs are close to hammering out a deal for a player who signed a new contract with Latics at the beginning of the year.
Eaden emerged as a key player in the Barnsley team that won promotion to the Premier League in 1996-97, and made his Latics debut in a 2-2 home draw against Peterborough United in 2002.
He played a vital role when Wigan won the Second Division Championship – a campaign in which he made his 400th league appearance against Brentford – and was an ever-present after coming back into the team against Reading at the end of November.
Jewell, meanwhile, has been chasing Pollitt all summer as he bids to provide extra competition for first choice John Filan, with Gary Walsh taking up a coaching post as well as being third choice.
Farnworth-born Pollitt is a vastly experienced keeper in the lower leagues, playing 500 senior games in a career spanning nine clubs – Ipswich, Oldham and Norwich have been linked with him since Rotherham's relegation from the Championship.
Jewell said: "Mike's a vastly experienced operator with bags of experience and he's a cracking signing."
Jewell has at least another four transfer targets in his sights and fans can expect several new faces at the JJB this month as Jewell begins the task of reshaping his squad for top-flight football.
The first team squad report back for the start of pre-season training on Monday and Brondby's £5m pair Johan Elmander and Daniel Agger remain in the frame.
French defender Pascal Chimbonda has also been linked with a Latics switch after the 26-year-old was released by Bastia.
Newly promoted West Ham are reported to be interested in Chimbonda, who has rejected an offer from Nancy after setting his sights on the Premiership.
Chairman Dave Whelan said: "Paul Jewell is going through his options carefully and we are all working very hard to bring the right players in.
"Obviously we know that we have to strengthen the squad and we will not start the Premier League season with all the same players that won the Championship for Wigan.
"But I have absolute faith in Paul's ability to spot a player of potential.
"He has never made a bad signing at Wigan, and Paul wants players who will give their all for Wigan and not just want a pay-day."
l Latics lock horns with Preston in their first pre-season friendly at Deepdale on July 27 and also meet Burscough (July 28), Macclesfield Town (July 30), Morecambe (August 2) and Accrington Stanley (August 3), all away, before wrapping up their summer schedule with a home game against Boavista from Portugal on August 6.