Nottingham Forest have managed to find what Leeds United cannot, a reliable goalkeeper.
Just two place separate Leeds United and Nottingham Forest in the Championship table after testing seasons for the two clubs.
But while Leeds are trending downwards, Forest have reason for optimism due to the aggressive desire to improve shown under Aitor Karanka.
Karanka oversaw a frenetic deadline day of transfer activity in January, where he took a lot of gambles on loan signings, in the hope that some would come good and prove they were worth buying next season.
One of the successes is goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, signed from Watford, and the Watford Observer report Forest are keen to sign him permanently.
Forest are clearly in pole position to sign the Romanian goalkeeper, but Leeds should be making a late attempt to try and get him in themselves.
Pantilimon is the opposite of Leeds stopper Felix Wiedwald; he is reliable, experienced in English football, and is an imposing presence.
The 6 ft 8″ goalkeeper has featured in the Champions League for Manchester City and was wasted on Watford’s bench.
Forest acted shrewdly to bring him in, but they have other options too, Jordan Smith and Stefanos Kapino.
Leeds would hope that their lack of decent competition could sway Pantilimon’s mind.
Perhaps with a bolder strategy in January, the Whites would have brought him in at the time.
Doing a deal now will be highly difficult, but Leeds should not give up on making a last ditch effort to try and sign a player who could fix one of their biggest problem positions.
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