Nottingham Forest are bizarrely still in the market to sign another goalkeeper before the transfer window opens this summer.
The Reds have a number of stoppers available to them – with varying degrees of experience between them.
Matz Sels is the current number one, with Carlos Miguel signing from Corinthians to act as the deputy to the Belgium stopper.
Then there is Matt Turner who signed for £10 million from Arsenal just 12 months ago but is now the third-choice incumbent.
Turner has had interest from the Bundesliga and it’s fair to presume that Forest will try and sell him this summer.
His departure could now make room for another goalkeeper with Nuno Espirito Santo keen to add one before the window closes.
On that front, the club might have now received some good news.
Nottingham Forest-linked goalkeeper could now be available for transfer
According to The Athletic’s transfer guru David Ornstein, Crystal Palace could be willing to do business at around £10 million for Sam Johnstone.
Forest made an attempt to sign the one-cap England stopper before Sels was signed during the January transfer window.
Back then the Eagles weren’t willing to sanction a sale but now they will be willing to do business if their asking price is met.
This chase could see Forest rival Steve Cooper for Johnstone, with Leicester in the mix along with Wolves and Southampton who both want to sign new goalkeepers.
Johnstone endured a frustrating campaign last term and was the first choice at the start of the 2023/24 season.
He was called ‘unbeatable’ by Garth Crooks in November but was dispossessed by Dean Henderson who kept the goal in the final months of the season.
Forest would surely be selling two goalkeepers if one arrives
It’s not unpopular for clubs to have three senior goalkeepers in the squad but for a club in Forest’s position, it would perhaps be somewhat strange.
The Reds have Turner as an experienced number three right now and at 30, he will surely want to be playing regular football.
Sels is also in his thirties and it would perhaps be harsh on him given his form at the end of last season, if Forest were to bring in a new number one.
Miguel is only 25 but has no experience of playing in England and is there an argument that he might leave on loan should another goalkeeper come in?
One way or another, it looks as though Forest are keen to sign another one and it does feel like a weird situation.
If Johnstone – or another goalkeeper – does sign this summer, it would perhaps suggest that Espirito Santo isn’t overly convinced with any of his current crop.
At 31, the former Manchester United trainee would represent another stop-gap and at £10 million the deal doesn’t look particularly good value for money.
However, they say a strong goalkeeper is worth another 10-15 points a season and if the club feels Johnstone can add that total, who can know the Reds for making the switch?
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