Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba has agreed a move to Lens with the club expected to use the funds that will be freed up by Cheick Doucoure’s move to Premier League outfit Crystal Palace, according to La Voix du Nord.
Following the arrival of Dean Henderson on loan from Manchester United, the door appears to have opened for Samba to secure a return to France. But the key is not quite in the lock just yet.
Nottingham Forest understandably have reservations about letting their fans’ favourite contract level leave just yet. Samba’s departure would leave Henderson and Jordan Smith as Steve Cooper’s only first-team shot-stoppers after all.
As such, assuming Henderson will be Forest’s number one, it seems that Cooper wants a high-quality number two before Samba is given permission to clear out his locker.
Brice Samba wants to leave Nottingham Forest
La Voix du Nord claim that Samba has reached an agreement with Lens. Forest are happy to bide their time, however, and are in no rush to let their penalty-saving play-off hero go without a replacement secured.
“We are looking for a number one,” explains Lens coach Frank Haise, highlighting Wuilker Farinaz’s injury problems. “Me, I want two goalkeepers who can play in Ligue 1.”
According to L’Equipe, a deal for the former Caen and Marseille glovesman should set Lens back around £4.5 million. French football’s perennial overachievers should have no problems stumping up such a fee. Particularly with midfield maestro Doucoure edging ever closer to a big-money switch to Selhurst Park.
The report adds that Doucoure has all-but ‘joined Crystal Palace’. The Mali international is now awaiting the finishing touches. He should join on a five-year deal and a transfer fee of around £18 million (The Guardian). What’s more, Lens have already secured a replacement with Salis Abdul Samed arriving from Clermont.
According to The Sun, Leeds United tried to hi-jack the Doucoure deal at the eleventh hour. By that stage, however, the one-time Tottenham target had already been won over by Palace boss Patrick Vieira.
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