The latest Nottingham Forest transfer news brought to you by NottinghamshireLive on Monday, June 20.
Samba hits back
Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba has taken to social media to dispute reports about his contract negotiations with the club.
The 28-year-old is understood to have been offered a new contract by the Reds following their promotion to the Premier League but Samba a Twitter post from Samba appears to reject that and more. Samba has 12 months remaining on his current contract at the City Ground, with and is said to be keen on a return to France this summer. Ligue 1 side Lens have been strongly linked with his signature.
Forest are understood to be hopeful of signing Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson on loan. Should an agreement be reached then Henderson would replace Samba as the club's number one in the top flight ahead of this upcoming season.
Exit was unthinkable but now necessary
Hands up who thought Brice Samba would leave Nottingham Forest this summer, a month on from saving three penalties in the play-off shootout against Sheffield United.
If there were any hands up, then how many would stay raised if they thought the goalkeeper would end up in an increasingly bitter row over his contract, with Samba going public with grievances over the reporting of his situation. Samba took to Twitter on Sunday night to quote tweet a report from Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, which disputed a Daily Mail article saying Forest had offered to double Samba's wages as he enters the final year of his deal.
Aouna says Forest have failed to offer him an increased salary and his likely replacement, Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, is on three times as much money per week. Forest insist they have offered Samba a contract extension and want him to stay, although that position may well change now.
Striker boards flight
Nottingham Forest have reportedly 'discussed terms' with Union Berlin centre-forward Taiwo Awoniyi after the player and his agent met for talks with the club's hierachy.
Nottinghamshire Live understands the 24-year-old is a target and talks had begun, but updates over the weekend appear to suggest that such discussions have advanced. While no figure for a transfer fee has been announced, the player reportedly has a release clause of around £17 million (€20 million).
Awoniyi is also apparently 'keen' to return to the Premier League after previously being on the books at Liverpool for six years without making an appearance due to an initial issue with obtaining a work permit. Now a senior Nigeria international on the back of three straight seasons playing in the Bundesliga, that should be less of an issue.
Tipped to complete three transfers
It has been a whirlwind few weeks since Nottingham Forest were promoted to the Premier League.
After a couple of days to rest and relax, head coach Steve Cooper and his recruitment team will be back to the day job as they look to source players who will help improve them ahead of their top-flight return.
It will be the first time in 23 years that Forest have been in the Premier League when they take on Newcastle United on the opening day of the season, but Cooper has a long list of positions in which he needs to make additions in ahead of the curtain-raising fixture.
