Nottingham Forest are yet to strike a deal with Manchester United for goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Erik Ten Hag’s side are said to be holding out for a fee in the region of £30 million including add-ons. Whereas Steve Cooper’s side want to re-sign Henderson on loan, with an obligation to buy for £20 million, after a certain amount of appearances.
With just ten days to go until the start of the new Premier League campaign, the Reds only have Ethan Horvath, Wayne Hennessey and George Shelvey as their goalkeeping options.
With the Henderson deal looking no closer, Forest should turn their attention to Nantes goalkeeper and captain Alban Lafont.
The 24-year-old kept 11 clean sheets in 37 Ligue 1 appearances last season.
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The former Fiorentina ‘keeper made 133 saves last season, the second-highest in France, only beaten by Monaco’s Alexander Nubel.
Lafont or Henderson?
There is no doubt that Henderson is Cooper’s preferred target for the goalkeeping position.
However, the Red Devils are shifting the goalposts in a deal that should’ve been wrapped up weeks ago.
Other targets have been mentioned with Matt Turner being linked from Arsenal after David Raya entered talks with Mikel Arteta’s side.
Lafont would be a great option for Forest, coming with a whole wealth of experience in multiple top European leagues and competitions.
The Toulouse academy graduate played in all eight of Nantes’ Europa League games last season and starred in the French side’s 1-1 draw away at Juventus, making six saves and eight aerial claims.
He is comfortable on the ball, a great shot-stopper and confident in the air to claim balls into the 18-yard box from set pieces.
Nantes would be open to selling Lafont for £20 million this summer, which would be a great price for a ‘keeper of his quality.