Nottingham Forest have been linked with a summer move for Cardiff City goalkeeper Alex Smithies.
The 32-year-old will be a free agent this summer. And it is said he could be moved on at the end of his contract, despite being a regular for the Bluebirds.
WalesOnline report Smithies is one of the higher earners at the club. With a new financial structure set to be introduced after this campaign, the shot-stopper’s wages “may well exceed” that and lead to him heading out the exit door.
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He is said to have “a number of admirers”. And the Reds are being credited with an interest.
Forest currently have three senior keepers on the books. However, there is a battle between Brice Samba and Ethan Horvath to secure the No.1 spot.
Samba had been first-choice for much of this term, until his sending off against Stoke City in February opened the door for Horvath to hold down a place in the team. Reds boss Steve Cooper does have a decision to make over who starts in Wednesday night’s clash with Coventry City, however.
Horvath dropped to the bench for Saturday’s 4-1 win at Blackpool, due to a quick turnaround from being on international duty. Samba did his best to try to impress, as a result.
Forest also have Jordan Smith as an option. The academy graduate recently signed a one-year extension to his contract.
On the goalkeeper dilemma, Cooper said: “It’s an interesting situation now, I won’t dodge that one. I think you’ve just got to take Saturday in isolation.
“You always have to do what’s right for the team. As well as Ethan has done for us - and he has - one, we really wanted him to get back in the US squad and qualify for the World Cup, because what an honour that is. But two, with them playing as late as they did and coming back from where they were (Costa Rica), and the time difference and the flight, for me, what was right for the team was that Brice played.
“Brice had had his two weeks’ training, he’s been excellent, we know how good he is anyway and he was ready to play. It was just a clear decision, and one that Ethan fully accepted.
“It 100 percent gives me a decision to make. But it’s a good decision, and a good situation.
“We believe in three of our keepers. Don’t underestimate the role Jordan Smith plays in that area as well, especially having been here 20 years - he plays a massive part, as well as Danny Alcock.”
Cooper may also have a decision to make come the summer about who will be No.1 long-term, with both Samba and Horvath eager to play. The former will have 12 months left to run on his deal by that point, having penned four-year terms in 2019. Meanwhile, Horvath is tied down to the club until 2024.
