A report by The Sun (18/07; page 61) claims that Nottingham Forest pulled the plug on plans to sign goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli this summer.
The former Fulham and Middlesbrough stopper has been a free agent since departing the Riverside Stadium at the end of last season.
Forest snapped up Ethan Horvath last week and are no longer in the market for a goalkeeper. Brice Samba and Jordan Smith are also under contract for next season.
The hope will be that Horvath can pile the pressure on Samba, following some unconvincing displays during the 2020/21 campaign.
After a strong 2019/20 campaign, the Congolese stopper did struggle for consistency last season and signed the American can only bode well.
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Forest looked at a few goalkeepers though. The Sun claims that Bettinelli was one of them, although negotiations between the two parties fell through.
The 29-year-old would have provided a proven Championship performer to the Reds ranks. Now, he is in the sights of Birmingham City with Lee Bowyer eyeing a new goalkeeper.
Bettinelli has made 137 Championship appearances during his career, claiming 31 clean sheets in the process.
Horvath or Bettinellli: Have Forest got the better deal?
You have to say on the face of things, it seems as though they have. Horvath for starters is three years the junior of Bettinelli.
Forest have to start prioritising long-term investment over expensive players with little or zero sell-on value. In signing Horvath they have done that.
The 26-year-old is still relatively young for a goalkeeper and he’s earned rave reviews from some high-profile names in the past.
He was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s number one during his time at Molde, whilst Manchester City ace Zack Steffen has also praised him.
Bettinelli might be a proven Championship option, but it does look like Forest won’t miss a trick by ending their negotiations with him.