Nottingham Forest fans have been shocked by the claim that goalkeeper Brice Samba reluctantly wants to depart the City Ground.
Samba is a popular figure on Trentside after his heroics in the play-offs - saving three penalties in the semi-final win over Sheffield United - and is contracted to the club until next summer.
Reports today (June 7), however, claim that the 28-year-old has turned down a new contract from Forest which he deems to be unacceptable.
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According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the decision is "said not to be financially motivated but about respect for his achievements, importance and popularity at the City Ground".
Samba has been with the Reds since joining from SM Caen in 2019 and has firmly established himself as a fan-favourite on the banks of the River Trent with his excellent on-the-pitch performances and off-the-pitch social media antics.
This is what Reds fans said of the news about Samba...
@_SamMarriott: Genuinely baffled by the Samba news, now the Nick Pope links actually seem like they have substance
@JordanThelen: Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve tried to lowball key first team players
@kanegoswell: Everyone blowing the samba thing up in the air. He said no to a contract he wasn’t happy with, we will now offer him another…that’s how negotiations work
@davinabhakta: Praying this Samba news is false
@rbilX: If Brice thinks he's bigger than the club let him go and we'll get someone else i
@JakeBoxeo: Oh
@GC_NFFC: Can’t believe what I’m reading gonna be so gutted if he does actually go this summer I really hope not
@jtweets92: Samba to sign a new contract within 7 days. Just can’t see him leaving, makes zero sense to me.
@OlliePitt87: That’s proper ruined my day
@FaceNffc: Hopefully the Samba news is just part of the negotiations. Up to the guys at #nffc to get this one sorted. It would be a massive shame to see him go, and not an ideal way to start the summer