Nottingham Forest actually tried to sign player with 415 Premier League appearances on deadline day

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Nottingham Forest actually attempted to sign David de Gea on transfer deadline day.

That is according to The Athletic.

So, what happened between Nottingham Forest and David de Gea? Let’s take a look…

Nottingham Forest tried to sign De Gea

Well – according to The Athletic – Nottingham Forest actually approached seven different goalkeepers on Thursday as Nuno Espirito Santo desperately searched for a new glovesman.

One of those approaches was towards De Gea – who has been a free agent since leaving Manchester United in July.

The Athletic explain how Nottingham Forest tried to persuade the Spaniard that there would be value in playing regular football for the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.

However, De Gea – who has 415 Premier League appearances to his name – did not agree, and the offer was declined.

Nottingham Forest also held an interest in Crystal Palace No.1 Sam Johnstone.

Eventually, those at the City Ground struck a £5.1m deal to sign Matz Sels from Strasbourg.

Nottingham Forest have conceded 40 goals in just 22 Premier League outings so far this season – only Burnley and Sheffield United have shipped more – so something had to change in between the sticks.

How Matz Sels last fared in English football

Sels will at least bring some experience of English football to Nottingham Forest with him.

The Belgian spent time at Newcastle back in 2016 before departing for Strasbourg in 2018.

Sels made 14 appearances for the Magpies – with nine of those coming in the Championship – conceding 13 goals in total while keeping five clean sheets.

The 31-year-old also kept just 42 clean sheets in 175 appearances for Strasbourg.

Some Nottingham Forest fans may still hold some reservations over the goalkeeping department as a result of the Belgium international’s far from spectacular career.

Nevertheless, we hope Sels is the solution, as Matt Turner continues to struggle in between the sticks.