If anything sums up the ramshackle recruitment displayed by Nottingham Forest – the Premier League strugglers deducted four points in April for breaching Profit and Sustainability rules – it’s this.
Two years on from their long-awaited return to the top flight, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have had no fewer than five first-choice goalkeepers in that time.
First came Dean Henderson, then Real Madrid icon Keylor Navas arrived midway through last term. Matt Turner, brought in from Arsenal, started the current campaign as Nottingham Forest‘s number one but lost his place to Odysseas Vlachodimos after a series of errors.
The same fate then befell the former Benfica man, Matz Sels having nailed down the jersey since his winter arrival from Strasbourg. But while Sels has not committed quite so many high-profile blunders as, say, Turner, Forest’s interest in Brazil international Bento Matheus Krepski hints at yet another change between the sticks, the two-time European champions all-but safe from relegation heading into the final day.
Brazil international is a Chelsea and Nottingham Forest target
HITC understands that Nottingham Forest are keen on Bento. As are Wolverhampton Wanderers, and a Chelsea side who begun the campaign with Robert Sanchez between the sticks but look set to end it with Djordje Petrovic, another one-time Forest target.
The £15 million-rated Bento looks certain to leave Athletic Paranaense this summer.
“We will soon lose Bento,” head coach Cuca tells Globo Esprote. “He’s asking for a ticket (to leave), and that’s what the players are looking for.
“A place in Europe to make a nest egg and play in the world’s main championships. He’s earning it (his chance).
“We are already preparing Leo Linck (to replace him).”
Bento himself spoke up about the ongoing speculation following Athletic’s 2-1 defeat to Danubio of Uruguay in the Copa Sudamerica on Wednesday. And, in a boost to his Premier League-based suitors, the 24-year-old shot-stopper insisted that reports of an impending move to Serie A champions Inter Milan are wide of the mark, even if the Nerazzuri have made their interest known.
“What I know is speculation. Inter have only asked. They haven’t made an official proposal,” Bento tells ESPN, making it clear that no decision has been made at this stage.
“I’m happy that they mention my name. It’s the result of my work and my performances here. If a proposal actually arrives, we’ll see.
“My agents (control the discussions) so that, if it were to happen, it would be in the best possible way for everyone.”
Wolves could move on from Jose sa
Wolves’ current number one – Jose Sa – signed a new long-term contract last year. But with interest from Saudi Arabia and concerns over his distribution, per The Athletic, the door may be open for another goalkeeper to take his place.
Bento, capped twice by Brazil, made his Selecao debut in some style in March. He kept a clean sheet as Dorival Junior’s side beat England 1-0 at Wembley, the Real Madrid-bound wonderkid Endrick scoring a second-half winner.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
