With Djed Spence, James Garner, Max Lowe, Philipe Zinckernagel and Keinan Davis all facing uncertain futures at the City Ground, the last thing Steve Cooper needed was to hear that another of his Wembley heroes might not be sticking around as Nottingham Forest prepare for a first Premier League campaign in over 20 years.
According to The Athletic, spot-kicking-saving fans’ favourite Brice Samba has told Forest he will not sign a new deal. What’s more, he wants to leave as soon as possible.
But no one, not even Samba, is entirely irreplaceable. And there’s hardly a shortage of high-quality shot-stoppers on the market this summer…
Nick Pope – Burnley
If there was one man who cannot be blamed for Burnley’s demise, it’s him. In fact, The Clarets probably would have succumbed to the looming inevitability of relegation far earlier than the final day if it wasn’t for Pope’s miracle-spinning displays between the sticks.
With a World Cup on the horizon, and with the former Charlton Athletic ‘keeper simply ‘too good’ to spend the season in the second-tier, The Sun believe that Nottingham Forest could offer Pope a Premier League lifeline.
Burnley reportedly value one of the country’s most reliable glovesmen at a staggering £40 million. But he’s entering the final 12 months of his contract. And, with the Clarets facing a perilous financial situation, don’t be surprised if Pope’s market value falls considerably before the summer is out.
Gaetan Coucke – KV Mechelen
After helping Mechelen finish eighth in the Jupiler League table in 2021/22, former Belgium U19 international Coucke has made no secret of his desire for a fresh start and a new challenge.
“Going abroad has always been a dream,” says the 23-year-old. “And I feel ready for the next step. If a good offer comes in from a good club, then I will consider it.”
Coucke is reportedly on West Ham’s radar. But the London giants are prioritising a permanent deal for PSG loanee Alphonse Areola instead. He’s younger than Pope, more affordable too, and would fit Forest CEO Dane Murphy’s philosophy of signing budding youngsters with plenty of room for development.
Freddie Woodman – Newcastle United
Woodman’s hopes of establishing himself as Newcastle’s number one went up in smoke as he fumbled the ball straight into Cristiano Ronaldo’s path back in September. It seems highly unlikely that he’ll ever start a top-flight game again for the nouveau-riche Magpies.
Woodman’s relationship with Forest boss Steve Cooper, however, means few will be surprised if he does something of a ‘reverse Karl Darlow’, swapping the banks of the Tyne for the banks of the Trent. The 25-year-old’s shot-stopping heroics were a major reason why Cooper’s Swansea reached the Championship play-off final 12 months ago.
Andriy Lunin – Real Madrid
Nottingham Forest made excellent use of the loan market last term, and should be tempted to repeat the trick this time around too. According to The Mirror (May 29, page 77), European Champions Real Madrid are willing to let Lunin leave the Santiago Bernabeu in pursuit of regular first-team football. His youth, distribution, cat-like reflexes and giant frame means the 23-year-old ticks plenty of boxes as far as Cooper and Murphy are concerned.
Lunin, understandably, has found game-time hard to come at Real Madrid. What’s more, Los Blancos will reportedly sign another highly-rated young glovesman in Gabriel Slonina.
Dean Henderson – Manchester United
Henderson probably knows how Lunin is feeling. While the Ukrainian is stuck behind Thibaut Courtois in Spain, Henderson has David de Gea for competition at Old Trafford. No wonder he’s gathering dust on the Old Trafford sidelines these days.
Ambitious and supremely self-confident, the former Sheffield United loanee would be the undisputed first-choice for plenty of top-flight clubs and that goes for newly-promoted Nottingham Forest too.
A loan move to the City Ground, ahead of the Qatar World Cup, could suit all parties.
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