French side Lens are said to have made a direct enquiry for Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba.
The Reds face losing their first-choice stopper this summer, just as they are preparing for their return to the Premier League after a 23-year absence. Samba has 12 months left to run on his contract and is said to have turned down the offer of a new one.
The 28-year-old has reportedly deemed Forest’s terms “unacceptable”. And, as a result, he is said to have told the club he intends to leave, with the transfer window officially opening on Friday.
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As news of the shot-stopper’s situation emerged earlier this week, Lens were said to have made him a transfer priority, after tracking him for a number of months. L’Equipe, via Inside Futbol, report the French side have now made a “direct enquiry” about the Reds star.
Samba’s former goalkeeping coach at Caen, Herve Sekli, is said to be due to link up with Lens this summer. The club are also in need of a replacement for No.1 Wuilker Farinez, who suffered an ACL injury while on international duty.
The Athletic claim Samba’s decision to reject Forest’s contract offer is “about respect for his achievements, importance and popularity at the City Ground”. Talks are said to be still taking place and the Reds are “determined” to hang on to their first-choice custodian.
Samba penned a four-year deal at the City Ground when he made the move from Caen in 2019. Since then, he has established himself as a firm fans’ favourite and a key player.
His penalty shootout performance against Sheffield United to send Steve Cooper’s side to Wembley will go down in club folklore. And he kept a clean-sheet against Huddersfield Town at the national stadium as promotion was secured.
